QUEENS, NY — Eduardo Soto has been formally charged with grand larceny among other crimes, following his alleged involvement in a scheme depositing over $40,000 through stolen and counterfeit checks.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, citing the collaborative efforts of Congresswoman Grace Meng, the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the NYPD, highlighted the arrest as a significant step in combating financial fraud. The investigation, sparked by a Forest Hills resident’s complaint, uncovered multiple victims leading to Soto’s apprehension.
USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust in the postal system, applauding the arrest as a victory for the Queens community against mail theft and financial crimes.
Soto, a 42-year-old Bellerose resident, faces a multitude of charges including multiple counts of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a forged instrument, petit larceny, and unlawful possession of personal identification information.
With the possibility of a seven-year prison sentence, Soto’s legal battle began with his arraignment on a 32-count complaint. Judge Julieta Lozano scheduled a court return for May 13.
The charges outline a pattern of fraudulent activity where Soto allegedly cashed checks stolen from mail, affecting victims across a broad age range, from a 72-year-old man to a 29-year-old Rego Park resident. Investigations revealed Soto depositing these checks into his own bank account, leveraging both physical bank visits and mobile deposit methods.