Federal Investigation Ties ICE Detainees to ATM “Jackpotting” Crimes
- Omaha Scanner
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Federal investigators say a sophisticated ATM “jackpotting” ring operating across multiple states has direct ties to Nebraska. Several suspects accused of using malware to drain cash from ATMs are in custody at the Sarpy County Jail.
According to court affidavits, the United States is investigating a large-scale conspiracy to steal money from ATM's through the use of malware which is called "jackpotting". A crew of individuals travels to different areas and installs malicious malware by using universal keys to access the ATMs.
Each member of a crew has their own role and members use pre-programmed computers to install the malware. Generally, each crew has a scout to find ATMs, a driver, a person to install malware and then a person to withdraw cash once the malware is installed. The hard drive is exchanged with a corrupted one which makes the ATM dispense cash. The ATMs use universal keys, do not have alarms installed and do not have hard drive encryption which leaves them susceptible to these types of thefts.
Grand Island Case
Wildermal Marquez Brea, currently held at the Sarpy County Jail, is accused of manipulating an ATM in Grand Island between September 17 and 18, 2025. Surveillance footage reportedly captured two men at the machine shortly before the Nebraska State Patrol stopped the vehicle Marquez Brea was riding in.
Authorities say Marquez Brea gave troopers a false name and was arrested for obstructing justice. Inside the vehicle, investigators found ATM hard drives, universal keys, a laptop, a cell phone, a hard drive adapter, and various tools. The targeted ATM contained more than $40,000 and sustained about $3,000 in damage.
Marquez Brea, a Venezuelan national, has an ICE detainer and is accused of violating Title 18, United States Code 2113—Bank Larceny.
Juanita and Colorado Case
Two additional men, Yohalex Garcia-Valladres and Alexander Jose Mayora-Blanco, face similar allegations for thefts that occurred between January and February 2025. The pair are accused of targeting ATMs in Juanita, Nebraska, and Colorado, where banks reported losses of $23,000 and $12,000.
Both Garcia-Valladres and Mayora-Blanco are Venezuelan nationals and remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Omaha and Plattsmouth Thefts
In Douglas County, federal prosecutors have charged Eduar Jesus Paez Avendano with bank larceny after Dundee Bank reported $124,760 stolen from three ATMs in Omaha between March 30 and April 1, 2025. Cornerstone Bank in Plattsmouth also reported a $54,000 loss in June, believed to stem from suspicious ATM activity in May.
Investigators say Paez Avendano, also a Venezuelan national with an ICE detainer, may be linked to two additional jackpotting attempts in West Virginia and Tennessee. He was arrested in Louisiana and will be transferred to Nebraska under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
