Seven people were arrested Thursday for their involvement in a scheme to acquire homes in Monroe County through bogus mortgage applications so they could have places to cultivate marijuana indoors, U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith said Friday.
The joint federal and state law enforcement operation, conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service and state police, resulted in the arrests of Carlos Guerra-Lescay, 51, Eileen Mesa, 36, Ernesto Huerta Martin, 51, Jose Frias, 43, all of Newark, N.J.; Vivian Cruz, 49, and Antonio Figueredo, 41, both of Easton; and Osleivy Gomez, 34, North Bergen, N.J.
According to the federal grand jury indictment, they conspired to get mortgages for two homes in Brodheadsville on Route 209 and in Gilbert on Burger Hollow Road by submitting bogus income information and statements to AmTrust and IndyMac banks.
Money earned through the sale of marijuana that they grew was used to pay the mortgages, according to the indictment.
Mr. Guerra-Lescay, Ms. Mesa and Mr. Figuerdo were charged with conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering and distributing marijuana. Ms. Cruz is facing charges of conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Mr. Frias and Mr. Gomez were charged with conspiracy. And Mr. Martin was charged with distributing marijuana.
If convicted, they could face a maximum 40-year prison sentence on the drug charge, a maximum 20 years on the money laundering charge, and a maximum five years on the conspiracy charge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the case.
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