On February 27, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Sergio Zacarias Lopez on charges of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and illegal re-entry of a removed alien. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the indictment following Lopez's arrest.
Court documents reveal that between January 2016 and June 2023, Zacarias Lopez misused his position as an accounting supervisor and controller to defraud a Fresno-based fruit wholesaler. He allegedly wrote company checks payable to "cash" and deposited them into his personal account using local ATMs. The fraudulent checks bore signatures of other employees with signatory authority, including one of the company's founders. This scheme reportedly allowed him to embezzle over $1 million before being detected by a bank and subsequently terminated by the company.
To secure his job initially, Zacarias Lopez is accused of using a stolen social security number along with falsified employment documents to hide his lack of legal status in the United States. The indictment also notes that he was previously removed from the U.S. in 2000 and had not been authorized to return.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin Lee prosecuting the case.
If convicted on bank fraud charges, Zacarias Lopez could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Convictions for aggravated identity theft or illegal re-entry could result in two-year prison terms each. Sentencing would be at the court's discretion after considering statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that these charges are allegations; Zacarias Lopez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.