PISCATAWAY, NJ — A former Essex County Sheriff’s Officer and current resident of Piscataway has admitted to participating in a multi-person bank fraud scheme, federal authorities announced.
Ryan L. Terry, 32, pleaded guilty on September 11 before U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of bank fraud, according to Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba.
At the time of the scheme, Terry was serving as a police officer with the Orange Police Department. Prosecutors said he took part in a criminal conspiracy involving the theft of checks from the mail, fraudulent deposits into controlled accounts, and rapid cash withdrawals before the fraud could be detected by banks or victims.
One instance highlighted by investigators involved a business check for over $50,000, mailed by a company in June 2023. The check was intercepted, altered, and deposited into a bank account associated with Terry and his co-conspirators. Once the check cleared in July 2023, the funds were promptly withdrawn and split among the group.
Authorities also say Terry recruited others to join the operation, especially individuals who held long-standing or less-suspicious bank accounts to further the fraud.
Terry now faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million for each charge. His sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2026.
