On July 27, a Town of Wallkill resident reported to State Police that they may have been tricked into sending bail money to help a relative. They reported that they had been contacted by someone alleging to be a defense attorney, and that a nephew had been arrested out of state and needed bail money. The caller instructed the victim to send $8000 in cash via Fed Ex to an address in New Jersey. The victim complied, thinking he was helping a relative.
An investigation was opened, and working with the Prospect Park, NJ Police Department, State Police investigators identified a suspect. On September 19, 2019 State Police at Middletown arrested Juan Gil-Delao, 22 of Clifton, NJ. Gil-Delao was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony.
He was arraigned in the Town of Wallkill Court and released after posting $1000 cash bail. Gil-Delao is also facing charges in New Jersey.