A former employee of TD Bank in Florida has been arrested and charged with facilitating a money laundering scheme that funneled millions of dollars to Colombia. Leonardo Ayala, 24, of Doral, Florida, was taken into custody yesterday and is facing one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charge stems from his involvement in a large-scale operation that used TD Bank accounts to launder narcotics proceeds, which were withdrawn from ATMs in Colombia.
According to court documents, Ayala worked at a TD Bank branch in Doral between February and November 2023. During this period, he allegedly used his position at the bank to assist a money laundering network by issuing dozens of debit cards linked to accounts opened in the names of shell companies. These accounts, which were controlled by nominee owners, were part of an elaborate scheme to conceal the illicit origins of funds. Ayala allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for issuing the debit cards, which were then used to withdraw cash at ATMs in Colombia.
The scheme allegedly allowed drug money to flow from the United States to Colombia, where it was laundered through the banking system. The withdrawals were made from ATMs in Colombia, a country known for its connections to the drug trade. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the accounts used for these transactions were designed to make the illicit activity difficult to trace, hiding the origin of the funds through the use of shell companies and fake identities.
Ayala made his initial court appearance yesterday in Miami federal court. The case will now be transferred to New Jersey, where all future court proceedings will take place. If convicted, Ayala faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The federal court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, who heads the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, stated, “This arrest sends a strong message that individuals who abuse their positions of trust to facilitate money laundering will be held accountable for their actions.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that violent crime and the illicit drug trade remain a top priority for federal authorities..
This arrest is part of a broader push by the Justice Department to crack down on financial crimes that enable illegal drug trafficking and other illicit activities. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help prevent money laundering and other financial crimes.
