Former Bank Tellers Charged With Falsifying Bank Records

McALLEN, Texas – Eduardo Alaniz, 24, and Sebastian Mendez, 30, have been charged with conspiring to falsify records at Bank of America in Mission, where they were formerly employed as tellers, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Both Alaniz and Mendez turned themselves in to federal authorities today.

The criminal complaint alleges that more than $94,000 was discovered missing from the bank. The ensuing investigation revealed Alaniz and Mendez allegedly conspired together to repeatedly falsify bank records over the course of several days in April of last year, effectively concealing the missing money from auditors. On one occasion, records showed $36,953.26 in the teller drawer, when the actual amount was $2,526.60.

At a hearing today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Ormsby formally advised both defendants of the charges and released them on bond pending trial with the one of the conditions they not work at a financial institution during the pendency of the case.

If convicted, each defendant could face a term of imprisonment of up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Secret Service with the assistance of Bank of America. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Sully is prosecuting the case.