New Haven Man Charged with Operating Illegal Money Transmitting Business
2024-06-07 · Press release
Mentions 1960 Crypto Verified 1960
Summary: A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging WILLIAM McNEILLY, 55, of New Haven, with operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging WILLIAM McNEILLY, 55, of New Haven, with operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
The indictment was returned on June 5, 2024, and McNeilly was arrested yesterday. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $50,000 bond.
The indictment alleges that McNeilly owned and operated Global Income Marketplace LLC (“GIM”) from a storefront in West Haven. According to its Connecticut state registration, GIM was engaged in “website builders programming tech computer repairs and upgrades.” McNeilly and another individual also operated Global NuMedia LLC (“GNM”), a limited liability company registered in Delaware. McNeilly, who never obtained a license from the Connecticut Department of Banking to engage in the business of money transmission, opened up several bank accounts in the names of GIM and GNM, and a cryptocurrency exchange account in the name of GNM, and used the accounts to operate a business through which he exchanged customers’ cash, checks, and money orders for cryptocurrency, charging a fee for the service.
Between approximately July 2019 and June 2022, McNeilly exchanged more than $1 million in U.S. currency for cryptocurrency on behalf of customers throughout the U.S. McNeilly knew that some of the funds involved in his illegal business were derived from fraud schemes, and the investigation revealed that cashiers checks from victims of romance fraud schemes were mailed to GIM and deposited into GIM accounts.
It is further alleged that, in February 2021, McNeilly was contacted by TD Bank and told that a $10,000 wire transfer to GNM was reported as fraudulent, and that he needed a license to operate a money transmission business. Despite the warning, and that TD Bank closed the GIM and GNM accounts, McNeilly continued to operate his money transmission business through other GIM and GNM bank accounts.
The indictment charges McNeilly with one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with three counts of making illegal money transactions, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.
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- https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/new-haven-man-charged-operating-illegal-money-transmitting-business
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| participant_id | name | role | title | organization | location | age | nationality | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1169 | Vanessa Roberts Avery | prosecutor | United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut | Connecticut | |||
| 1170 | Ketty Larco-Ward | inspector | Inspector in Charge | U.S. Postal Inspection Service | Boston, MA | |||
| 1171 | William McNeilly | defendant | New Haven | 55 | indicted | |||
| 1172 | Maria E. Garcia | judge | U.S. Magistrate Judge | U.S. District Court | New Haven | |||
| 1173 | Heather L. Cherry | prosecutor | Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut | Connecticut |
| agency_id | agency_name | abbreviation | role | office_location | agents_mentioned | contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 765 | United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut | prosecution | District of Connecticut | Vanessa Roberts Avery, Heather L. Cherry | Prosecuted the case and announced charges | |
| 766 | U.S. Postal Inspection Service | investigation | Boston Division | Ketty Larco-Ward | Investigated the illegal money transmission activities involving fraudulent mail |
| charge_id | charge_description | statute | severity | max_penalty | fine_amount | defendant | status | participant_id | cl_docket_id | count_num | is_1960 | verified_1960 | source | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 574 | making illegal money transactions | 10 years | WILLIAM McNEILLY | indicted | 0 | enrichment | ||||||||
| 575 | making illegal money transactions | 10 years | WILLIAM McNEILLY | indicted | 0 | enrichment | ||||||||
| 576 | making illegal money transactions | 10 years | WILLIAM McNEILLY | indicted | 0 | enrichment | ||||||||
| 573 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business | five years | WILLIAM McNEILLY | indicted | 1 | enrichment | 2026-09-16T19:45:55+00:00 | |||||||
| 2541 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:55+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2542 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:55+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2543 | operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:55+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2544 | unlicensed money transmitting business | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:55+00:00 | ||||||||||
| 2545 | unlicensed money transmitting business, an offense that carries a maximum term | 1 | press | 2026-09-16T19:45:55+00:00 |
| fin_id | action_type | amount | currency | description | asset_type | defendant | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 162 | bond | $50,000 | USD | Release bond set by U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia | cash | WILLIAM McNEILLY | ordered |
| victim_id | victim_type | description | number_affected | loss_amount | geographic_scope | vulnerability_factors | impact_description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116 | individual | victims of romance fraud schemes | throughout the U.S. | cashier's checks from victims were mailed to GIM and deposited into GIM accounts |
| quote_id | quote_text | speaker_name | speaker_title | speaker_organization | quote_type | context | significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. | Vanessa Roberts Avery | United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut | U.S. Department of Justice | statement | Commenting on the legal presumption of innocence regarding the indictment | Clarifies the legal standard that the indictment does not prove guilt and reinforces the presumption of innocence |
| theme_id | theme_name | description | significance | related_statutes | geographic_scope | temporal_aspects | stakeholders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 651 | Operating an Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business | McNeilly operated Global Income Marketplace LLC (GIM) and Global NuMedia LLC (GNM) without a Connecticut money transmission license, using bank and cryptocurrency accounts to exchange cash for cryptocurrency. | Central charge under federal law, indicating illegal operation of a financial service without regulatory approval. | 18 U.S.C. § 1960 | National | July 2019 to June 2022 | Law enforcement, financial institutions, victims, defendant's companies |
| 652 | Cryptocurrency Use | McNeilly used cryptocurrency exchanges to transmit customer funds, potentially to obscure transaction origins. | Enabled anonymous or hard-to-trace financial activity, central to the illegal business model. | National | July 2019 to June 2022 | Customers, cryptocurrency platforms, law enforcement | |
| 653 | Handling Fraudulent Funds | McNeilly knowingly accepted funds from fraud schemes, including romance fraud, and processed fraudulent cashier's checks. | Demonstrates intent to facilitate illicit financial activity, linking to broader fraud networks. | 18 U.S.C. § 1956, 18 U.S.C. § 1957 | National | July 2019 to June 2022 | Victims of fraud, law enforcement |
| 654 | Financial Institution Compliance | McNeilly ignored warnings from TD Bank about needing a license and continued operations after account closures. | Highlighted disregard for regulatory compliance and persistence in illegal activity. | National | February 2021 | Financial institutions (e.g., TD Bank), regulators | |
| 655 | Money Laundering | McNeilly facilitated the conversion of illicit funds into cryptocurrency, obscuring their origins. | Core aspect of the illegal business model, enabling proceeds of crime to enter legitimate systems. | 18 U.S.C. § 1956 | National | July 2019 to June 2022 | Law enforcement, victims, financial institutions |
CourtListener / RECAP
Linked dockets
- CL #68836389 3:24-cr-00120 (ctd) Weak match
Documents
| Entry | Description | OCR | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| entry desc | Set Deadlines as to William McNeilly: Status Report due by 4/9/2026 (Bergeson, S) | none | none |
| entry desc | Set Deadlines as to William McNeilly: Status Report due by 1/9/2026 (Bergeson, S) | none | none |
| #62 desc | ORDER. In light of Defendant's acceptance into Support Court, the stay of all sentencing-related deadlines shall remain in effect. Defendant shall file status reports on the following dates concerning his progress in Support Court: January 9, 2026, April 9, 2026, July 9, 2026, and October 9, 2026. If Defendant withdraws from Support Court at any time between now and October of 2026, he shall promptly notify the Court so that it can reinstate sentencing deadlines and a sentencing hearing date. When Defendant is approximately one month from completion of Support Court, he shall propose new sentencing deadlines and a sentencing hearing date, in coordination with the Government. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on 10/9/2025. (Glover, S) (Entered: 10/09/2025) | none | none |
| #60 desc | ORDER granting 56 Motion to Seal pursuant to D. Conn. Local Civ. R. 5(e), given that the sealing of McNeilly's medical and other sensitive information is narrowly tailored and supported by the clear and compelling reason of protecting his privacy. The Clerk is directed to maintain the seal on the filing at ECF No. 57 . Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 18, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/18/2025) | none | none |
| #59 desc | ORDER granting 55 Motion to Supplement the Record. The Court has reviewed McNeilly's submissions at ECF Nos. 55 and 57 and finds that the information therein further supports the Court's findings at ECF Nos. 52 and 58 that an application to Support Court is warranted. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 18, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/18/2025) | none | none |
| #58 desc | ORDER denying 53 Motion for Reconsideration. The Court has reviewed the parties' submissions at ECF Nos. 53 and 54 and finds that allowing Defendant to apply to Support Court is appropriate. First, the Government does not appear to contest that Defendant has an alcohol addiction that may qualify him for Support Court. Second, the Support Court team -- not the Court -- will ultimately decide whether Defendant is suitable for admission. Third, Support Court's policies (available here: https://www.ctd.uscourts.gov/support-court) do not preclude admission before sentencing. Finally, the Court is sympathetic to the need for victims to receive restitution. To the extent the parties anticipate that restitution will be ordered as part of the sentence, the Court intends to consider any pre-sentencing efforts Defendant makes towards paying restitution (including during his participation in Support Court, should he be accepted) at his sentencing. The Government's Motion for Reconsideration is therefore denied. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on 8/14/2025. (Glover, S) (Entered: 08/14/2025) | none | none |
| entry desc | Terminate Hearings as to William McNeilly: Sentencing scheduled for 10/20/2025 cancelled. (Bergeson, S) | none | none |
| #52 desc | ORDER granting 50 Motion for Permission to Apply to Support Court. Defendant may apply to the Support Court of his choice. Within three business days of a decision on his application, he must notify the Court of the admissions decision. In the meantime, the Court suspends the sentencing deadlines set in ECF No. 42 and cancels the October 20, 2025, sentencing hearing. The Court will reset the sentencing deadlines and sentencing hearing date at the appropriate time, depending on whether Defendant is admitted to Support Court. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 11, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/11/2025) | none | none |
| #51 desc | ORDER granting 48 Motion to Modify Conditions of Release as to William McNeilly (1). The Court adds the following conditions of release:(1) That Mr. McNeilly not use alcohol at all;(2) That Mr. McNeilly not use or unlawfully possess a narcotic drug or other controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C § 802 unless prescribed by a license medical practitioner;(3) That Mr. McNeilly submit to testing for a prohibited substance if required by the pretrial services office or supervising officer. Testing may be used with random frequency and may include urine testing, the wearing of a sweat patch, a remote alcohol testing system, and/or any form of prohibited substance screening or testing. The defendant must not obstruct, attempt to obstruct, or tamper with the efficiency and accuracy of prohibited substance screening or testing; and, (4) That Mr. McNeilly participate in a program of inpatient or outpatient substance abuse therapy and counseling if directed by the pretrial services office or supervising officer. All other conditions of release remain in place. Signed by Judge Maria E. Garcia on 8/8/2025. (Garcia, Maria) (Entered: 08/08/2025) | none | none |
| #49 desc | ORDER REFERRING CASE to Judge Robert M. Spector as to William McNeilly for a ruling on 48 MOTION to Modify Conditions of Release filed by William McNeilly. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 7, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/07/2025) | none | none |
| #47 desc | ORDER ACCEPTING MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS as to William McNeilly. The Court hereby accepts and adopts the Magistrate Judge's finding that the plea of guilty by Defendant has been knowingly and voluntarily made and the recommendation that Defendant's plea of guilty should be accepted. See ECF No. 45 . Accordingly, a finding of guilty shall enter forthwith. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on 7/22/2025. (Lum, A) (Entered: 07/22/2025) | none | none |
| #47 desc | ORDER ACCEPTING MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS as to William McNeilly. The Court hereby accepts and adopts the Magistrate Judge's finding that the plea of guilty by Defendant has been knowingly and voluntarily made and the recommendation that Defendant's plea of guilty should be accepted. See ECF No. 45 . Accordingly, a finding of guilty shall enter forthwith. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on 7/22/2025. (Lum, A) (Entered: 07/22/2025) | none | none |
| #49 desc | ORDER REFERRING CASE to Judge Robert M. Spector as to William McNeilly for a ruling on 48 MOTION to Modify Conditions of Release filed by William McNeilly. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 7, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/07/2025) | none | none |
| #51 desc | ORDER granting 48 Motion to Modify Conditions of Release as to William McNeilly (1). The Court adds the following conditions of release:(1) That Mr. McNeilly not use alcohol at all;(2) That Mr. McNeilly not use or unlawfully possess a narcotic drug or other controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C § 802 unless prescribed by a license medical practitioner;(3) That Mr. McNeilly submit to testing for a prohibited substance if required by the pretrial services office or supervising officer. Testing may be used with random frequency and may include urine testing, the wearing of a sweat patch, a remote alcohol testing system, and/or any form of prohibited substance screening or testing. The defendant must not obstruct, attempt to obstruct, or tamper with the efficiency and accuracy of prohibited substance screening or testing; and, (4) That Mr. McNeilly participate in a program of inpatient or outpatient substance abuse therapy and counseling if directed by the pretrial services office or supervising officer. All other conditions of release remain in place. Signed by Judge Maria E. Garcia on 8/8/2025. (Garcia, Maria) (Entered: 08/08/2025) | none | none |
| #52 desc | ORDER granting 50 Motion for Permission to Apply to Support Court. Defendant may apply to the Support Court of his choice. Within three business days of a decision on his application, he must notify the Court of the admissions decision. In the meantime, the Court suspends the sentencing deadlines set in ECF No. 42 and cancels the October 20, 2025, sentencing hearing. The Court will reset the sentencing deadlines and sentencing hearing date at the appropriate time, depending on whether Defendant is admitted to Support Court. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 11, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/11/2025) | none | none |
| 469715089 desc | Terminate Hearings as to William McNeilly: Sentencing scheduled for 10/20/2025 cancelled. (Bergeson, S) | none | none |
| #58 desc | ORDER denying 53 Motion for Reconsideration. The Court has reviewed the parties' submissions at ECF Nos. 53 and 54 and finds that allowing Defendant to apply to Support Court is appropriate. First, the Government does not appear to contest that Defendant has an alcohol addiction that may qualify him for Support Court. Second, the Support Court team -- not the Court -- will ultimately decide whether Defendant is suitable for admission. Third, Support Court's policies (available here: https://www.ctd.uscourts.gov/support-court) do not preclude admission before sentencing. Finally, the Court is sympathetic to the need for victims to receive restitution. To the extent the parties anticipate that restitution will be ordered as part of the sentence, the Court intends to consider any pre-sentencing efforts Defendant makes towards paying restitution (including during his participation in Support Court, should he be accepted) at his sentencing. The Government's Motion for Reconsideration is therefore denied. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on 8/14/2025. (Glover, S) (Entered: 08/14/2025) | none | none |
| #59 desc | ORDER granting 55 Motion to Supplement the Record. The Court has reviewed McNeilly's submissions at ECF Nos. 55 and 57 and finds that the information therein further supports the Court's findings at ECF Nos. 52 and 58 that an application to Support Court is warranted. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 18, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/18/2025) | none | none |
| #60 desc | ORDER granting 56 Motion to Seal pursuant to D. Conn. Local Civ. R. 5(e), given that the sealing of McNeilly's medical and other sensitive information is narrowly tailored and supported by the clear and compelling reason of protecting his privacy. The Clerk is directed to maintain the seal on the filing at ECF No. 57 . Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on August 18, 2025. (Bergeson, S) (Entered: 08/18/2025) | none | none |
| #62 desc | ORDER. In light of Defendant's acceptance into Support Court, the stay of all sentencing-related deadlines shall remain in effect. Defendant shall file status reports on the following dates concerning his progress in Support Court: January 9, 2026, April 9, 2026, July 9, 2026, and October 9, 2026. If Defendant withdraws from Support Court at any time between now and October of 2026, he shall promptly notify the Court so that it can reinstate sentencing deadlines and a sentencing hearing date. When Defendant is approximately one month from completion of Support Court, he shall propose new sentencing deadlines and a sentencing hearing date, in coordination with the Government. Signed by Judge Sarala V. Nagala on 10/9/2025. (Glover, S) (Entered: 10/09/2025) | none | none |
| 469715094 desc | Set Deadlines as to William McNeilly: Status Report due by 1/9/2026 (Bergeson, S) | none | none |
| 469715095 desc | Set Deadlines as to William McNeilly: Status Report due by 4/9/2026 (Bergeson, S) | none | none |
| #64 desc | Status Report | none | none |
| 475090087 desc | Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings | none | none |
| #65 desc | Auto docketing digital audio upload | none | none |
| #66 desc | Status Report | none | none |
| 485319289 desc | Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings | none | none |
| 486062302 desc | Order Sealing Audio File | none | none |
| #68 desc | Transcript | none | none |
| #69 desc | Status Report | none | none |
| 493046657 desc | Order | none | none |
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