By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Bergen County reported the arrest of Mr. Charles Vera, 30, of Dumont, on a money laundering charge.
According to Prosecutor Mark Musella, in September 2022, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Financial Crimes Unit initiated an investigation involving the movement of funds, including cryptocurrency, to various darknet websites specializing in the sale of stolen personal identifying information.
Prosecutor Musella said his office identified Vera as the person facilitating the transfer of funds in support of darknet activities by interacting with numerous individuals from various online fraud groups and brokering transactions with darknet marketplaces for a fee.
On June 28, 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and Dumont Police Department personnel executed a court-authorized search warrant at Vera's home, where he was located, and arrested without incident.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.