Queens Teen Pleads Guilty to Masterminding Internet Robbery Ring

Banach will serve five years in prison for 2007 robberies in Baldwin and Freeport

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that an 18-year-old Queens girl will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to masterminding an Internet-based robbery operation that lured victims with the promise of luxury vehicles on Craiglist, only to rob the victims of thousands of dollars when they came to inspect the cars.

Agnes Banach, 18, of Maspeth, Queens, pleaded guilty to Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, four counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, two counts of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, and two counts of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree. She will be sentenced Jan. 22.

Rice said on Nov. 26, 2007, the then-17-year-old Banach placed an ad on Craigslist claiming she had a 2006 Porsche to sell. A buyer responded to the ad and was told by Banach to come see the vehicle in Freeport. The victim, accompanied by his wife, brought a down payment of $4,800 with him. Banach, known to the victim as “Linda,” met up with them at the agreed-upon Freeport address and then dropped her keys, which was the signal for her four co-conspirators to attack. The down payment and the victim’s wife’s Blackberry were stolen.

On Dec. 6, 2007, a father and son answered a similar advertisement from Banach, then known as “Lucy,” for a 2002 Porsche. The victims were instructed to bring $22,000 to a Baldwin residence as a down payment on the car. As the son knocked on the door of the residence, his father was punched multiple times on the sidewalk by an attacker, Chad Greaves, who displayed what appeared to be a firearm and robbed the father of $100. Both father and son then fled the scene on foot.

“Ms. Banach’s violent actions have left her no other option but to serve time in prison,” Rice said. “We were prepared to take this case to trial before she took responsibility for her actions.”

Banach and seven co-conspirators were arrested less than two weeks later. Each of the seven has pleaded guilty to robbery, conspiracy and grand larceny charges. They are:

• Chad Greaves, 18, of Brooklyn – Pleaded guilty to Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 18.
• Lavainna Seaton, 17, of Brooklyn – Pleaded guilty to Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. She is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 18.
• Ronique Simpson, 19, of Brooklyn – Pleaded guilty to two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 18.
• Wally Arias, 19, of the Bronx – Pleaded guilty to two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 18.
• Khaliek Owens, 17, of Brooklyn – Pleaded guilty to Robbery in the First Degree. He is scheduled to be sentenced December 5.
• Christopher Blanco, 19, of the Bronx – Pleaded guilty to two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 7.
• George Obanyoun, 20, of Inwood – Pleaded guilty to Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree. He will be sentenced Dec. 18.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Lewis of the DA’s County Court Trial Bureau is handling the case for the District Attorney’s Office. Banach is being represented by Michael Musa-Obregon, Esq.