Money Laundering Charges Made Against Palisades Park Man and Two Co-Conspirators
By: Moe M.
On September 26, 2017, North Bergen police officers responded to an incident regarding a fifty-nine (59) year old woman, Luisa Valdes, being struck by a car at 7600 River Road, North Bergen. Police officers arrived at the scene and found Luisa Valdes dead on the floor. The vehicle that struck Ms. Valdes was at the scene, however the driver of the vehicle ran away.
Law enforcement initiated an investigation into the vehicle in question and discovered that Torres was the suspected driver. An arrest warrant was issued for Olvy Torres. In the end, Mr. Torres turned himself before law enforcement caught him.
Olvy Torres, a thirty-six (36) year old Palisades Park resident, was previously charged with Leaving The Scene of A Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident in North Bergen. However, after the police invistgated him, they found over $1,000,000 in cash and bags full of Diamonds in his home. Olvy Torres was subsequently charged with First-Degree Money Laundering.
On November 3, 2017, Torres and two (2) additional conspirators have been charged with Conspiring to Commit Money Laundering. The name of the two additional conspirators are Melissa Coda, a thirty-seven (37) year old Teaneck resident, and Yesenia Suriel, a thirty (30) year old Brooklyn N.Y. resident.
Melissa Coda was found, arrested on November 4, 2017, and charged with Money Laundering and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Law enforcement agents searched Coda’s safety deposit box which contained more than $250,000 and a kilogram of gold worth more than $40,000. Additionally, Coda’s motor vehicle, a 2013 Mercedes Benz ML350, was also apprehended by police officers.
Yesenia Suriel surrendered herself to the authorities and was charged with Money Laundering and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Law enforcement agents discovered more than $75,000 and two diamond rings.
All persons are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
