BRONX, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney recently made an announcement that highlights the growing issue of identity theft. Donald Archibald, 44, a Bronx resident, has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and identity theft. His crimes involved stealing the identities of several Suffolk County residents and using their personal information to obtain money.
In his statement, District Attorney Tierney emphasized the prevalence of identity theft not only in Suffolk County but nationwide. These crimes can happen to anyone and often have long-lasting effects on the victims. To combat this issue, Tierney’s office will continue collaborating with the Suffolk County Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that these offenders are held accountable.
According to court documents and Archibald’s own admission during his guilty plea allocution, the first incident occurred on April 13, 2023. Archibald acquired a Suffolk County resident’s address and contact information from the dark web. He then entered an M&T Bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he presented a false driver’s license. The license displayed the victim’s name and address but featured Archibald’s photograph. With the help of this fraudulent identification, Archibald withdrew $2,000 from the victim’s checking account. Later that day, he visited another M&T Bank branch and used the same victim’s bank account information to withdraw an additional $3,000.
Archibald employed a similar modus operandi on April 14, 2023, after obtaining personal information from another Suffolk County resident through the dark web. This time, he entered a TD Bank in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Again, Archibald presented a false driver’s license, featuring his own picture alongside the victim’s information. He cashed a “washed” check worth $4,500, issued in the victim’s name.
On February 9, 2024, Archibald pleaded guilty to several charges, including Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Identity Theft in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Identity Theft in the Second Degree. Archibald is scheduled for sentencing on March 13, 2024, and is expected to receive a prison sentence ranging from one to three years. Christopher Brocato, Esq., is representing him in court.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by Ryan Hunter of the Financial Crimes Bureau, with Detective Daniel Pagano from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crime Unit providing investigative assistance. Their collective efforts aim to bring justice to the victims affected by Archibald’s actions and to deter future incidents of identity theft.
This article sheds light on the alarming rise of identity theft and the measures being taken to combat it. By highlighting specific cases like Archibald’s, it serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal information and the severe consequences faced by those who engage in identity theft.
