Crime & Safety

Middletown Man Admits to Bilking 18 Victims in Various Schemes, Prosecutor Says

Even with his plea, he's still facing 14 years in state prison.

Middletown, NJ - A Middletown man pleaded guilty Friday, admitting to charges he deceived and impersonated clients, obtained numerous credit cards in his victims’ names, engaged in fraudulent loan attempts using the victims’ identities and forged documents, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Christopher D. Biello, 43, of Coe Place in Middletown, who also uses the alias Christopher Sherman, was arrested and charged following a yearlong investigation by the county prosecutor's office. That investigation determined he offered to assist with the refinancing of homes, obtained numerous credit cards in the victims’ names, engaged in fraudulent loan attempts using the victims’ identities, and forged documents. In total, Biello admitted he bilked at least 18 victims with his schemes.

He pleaded guilty to one count of second degree Theft by Deception, seven counts of third degree Theft by Deception, three counts of third degree Impersonation, four counts of third degree Bad Checks, two counts of third degree Theft, one count of fourth degree Forgery, one count of third degree Theft of Services, and one count of third degree Fraudulent Use of Credit Card.

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Biello entered his plea before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley.

He is being held without bail in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2016.

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At sentencing, the State will be asking for a sentence of 14 years in a New Jersey State Prison with a 5-year period of incarceration before he would be eligible for parole. Additionally, the State will seek a civil judgment for all 19 victims against Biello totaling nearly $500,000.

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