Two Men Plead Guilty in Multi-State ATM Heist Scheme
A multi-state ATM 'jackpotting' scheme, primarily involving Venezuelan nationals, saw the use of malware to force ATMs to dispense cash across Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and possibly other states. Several individuals have pleaded guilty to federal charges, with some already sentenced to prison time and facing deportation. In a separate but related series of incidents, three men were sentenced in January 2026 for using trucks and chains to physically steal ATMs in Florida, Oregon, and Missouri, causing over $350,000 in damages.
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Track this story2026
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2026
8 updatesTwo Texas men, Ahmon Hogg and Seth Coles-Body, have pleaded guilty to charges related to a multi-state ATM heist scheme. The scheme involved disabling ATMs and then assaulting or threatening technicians to steal cash cassettes. Their sentencing is scheduled for April.
Seven Venezuelan nationals have been arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for allegedly tampering with an ATM as part of a jackpotting scheme. Authorities are investigating an organized criminal group linked to multiple ATM jackpotting attempts across the country, with ties to Venezuela and Mexico.
via wbrz.com
Federal authorities have indicted a total of 87 individuals, including 31 new defendants, for a massive international ATM 'jackpotting' scheme. Many of those charged are Venezuelan and Colombian nationals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.
A TD Bank insider pleaded guilty to facilitating a Colombian ATM money laundering scheme by opening bank accounts for a fee.
via justice.gov
Five Venezuelan nationals have been convicted for an ATM 'jackpotting' conspiracy across Georgia, with three already sentenced. Additionally, Luz Granados and Johan Gonzalez-Jimenez were convicted for using laptops to install malware on ATMs and will be deported after serving their sentences.
Quinnland Jerome Rhodess, Emuel Wade Tomkins, and Deron Skinner were sentenced for a separate multi-state ATM heist scheme that involved using pickup trucks and chains to physically open ATMs in Florida, Oregon, and Missouri, causing over $350,000 in damages. Tomkins received four years, Skinner three years, and Rhodess two years.
The Department of Justice announced the busting of the multi-state ATM 'jackpotting' ring, detailing the pleas and sentences of the Venezuelan nationals involved.
Hector Alejandro Alvarado Alvarez and Cesar Augusto Gil Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and face a maximum of 30 years in prison. Javier Alejandro Suarez-Godoy was sentenced to time served.
2025
2 updates
2025
2 updatesDavid Josfrangel Suarez-Sanchez was sentenced to ten months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Javier Alejandro Suarez-Godoy also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Giobriel Alexander Valera-Astudillo was sentenced to ten months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
2024
4 updates
2024
4 updatesThe Hazard Police Department in Kentucky received a burglary alarm at a Peoples Bank ATM, indicating further reach of the 'jackpotting' scheme.
A Morven Police Department officer stopped a car driven by Suarez-Sanchez and Varela-Astudillo. The officer recognized the vehicle from surveillance footage of an ATM theft, leading to a 'be on the lookout' (BOLO) alert. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) subsequently stopped the car, arresting Varela-Astudillo and Suarez-Sanchez. Law enforcement found stacks of cash and computer equipment used in the thefts, and fingerprints matched Alvarado Alvarez and Suarez-Godoy.
Hector Alejandro Alvarado Alvarez, David Josfrangel Suarez-Sanchez, and Giobriel Alexander Varela-Astudillo accessed or attempted to access ATM machines in Hahira, Morven, and Valdosta, Georgia, stealing $33,000 from an ATM in Morven and $18,000 from an ATM in Valdosta.
The FBI began investigating ATM 'jackpotting' thefts that occurred between September 14 and September 16, 2024, at Peoples South Bank ATMs in Macon, Americus, and Albany, Georgia, with failed attempts in Bainbridge, Georgia, and Tallahassee, Florida. A total of $24,000 was stolen from Peoples South Bank ATMs.
Story began · 1 year, 6 mo ago