By: Jeff Sommes
A Bergen County woman has been formally indicted on federal charges after allegedly destroying her cell phone just as law enforcement arrived at her home with a search warrant tied to a larger real estate fraud investigation.

According to information released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Jennifer Iturralde Pina, 43, of Franklin Lakes, is facing one count of destruction of records in a federal investigation, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or double the financial damages involved in the alleged offense.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced the indictment, which stems from a March 5, 2024, incident in which Iturralde reportedly destroyed and concealed her phone as federal agents arrived with a warrant to seize it.
Authorities allege she was fully aware that her phone was central to an ongoing federal investigation involving her husband, Cesar Humberto Pina, also known as “Flipping NJ.”
Cesar Pina was previously charged in October 2023 with wire fraud, accused of orchestrating a fraudulent real estate investment scheme. Investigators say that Jennifer Iturralde Pina was not only aware of the probe but also took active steps to interfere with it.
In February 2024, she allegedly asked a friend to persuade a key witness to stop cooperating with investigators.
She later attempted to pass her phone to that same individual for safekeeping, but was unsuccessful.
The charges were originally filed by criminal complaint, and Iturralde made her first appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court on November 12, 2024.

The Department of Justice emphasized that interfering with federal investigations by destroying evidence is a serious criminal offense, and those found guilty can face significant penalties.
The case remains under investigation, and no further court dates have been released at this time.