Boston Woman Sentenced In Bank Fraud Scheme

The sentencing conditions included multiple terms.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Aug 19, 2026 9:59 AM EDT

BOSTON, MA — A woman was sentenced in federal court for her role in a scheme to defraud a Massachusetts bank, the United States Attorney's Office District of Massachusetts announced.

Boston resident Trinity Antonetty, 25, was sentenced to time served, approximately one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, with the first 60 days in home detention, and was ordered to pay $56,000 in restitution. She previously pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.

According to prosecutors, Antonetty opened a business bank account between July and October 2024 and allowed Phalentz Vernot to deposit fraudulently obtained cashier's checks into the account. Authorities said Antonetty used funds from one of the checks to purchase another cashier's check payable to a shell company controlled by Vernot. When the bank froze another check deposited into Antonetty's account over suspected fraud, prosecutors said Antonetty called the bank and falsely claimed she operated a high-end car dealership and that the funds were connected to a luxury car.

Vernot and five other men were charged in July 2025 as part of a related investigation into an alleged multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Vernot pleaded guilty in December 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 21. Two of his co-defendants, Victor Kolawole and Keith Wainaina, have also pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 13 and Nov. 10, respectively. William Shaw and Rosemary Parks were also charged in January for their alleged roles in the scheme. Parks pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 11.

The case was investigated by the FBI's Boston and New Haven divisions, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police and police departments in Gloucester, Rhode Island, Sutton, Concord, Dracut, Westwood and Abington. U.S. District Judge Julia E. Kobick imposed the sentence.