Turn To Tara: Arrest made 1 week after exclusive report on immigrant scam
Posted: Updated:An arrest was made one week after a Turn To Tara investigation exposed a scam targeting immigrants in Westchester.
New father Jorge Ordonez said he wound up falling prey to a rental scam shortly after he arrived in Westchester.
The scam was allegedly staged by Jeffrey Pena, who is accused of posting Spanish ads in Laundromats across the county featuring a cheap, too-good-to-be-true apartment rental.
After he took two month’s rent from would-be tenants, the tenants say they were never allowed to move in.
Mount Pleasant police say officers arrested Pena Thursday morning, one week after Turn To Tara exposed the allegations. He was slapped with eight felony counts of scheme to defraud in the first degree.
Police say Pena specifically targeted undocumented residents and threatened to call ICE when victims asked for their money back.
News 12’s Tara Rosenblum spoke by phone with a handful of Pena’s alleged victims. They said they were surprised and grateful to learn of his arrest.
Pena has not returned calls for comment from News 12.
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Got a problem? You should Turn to Tara. Here's how.
Got a problem? You should Turn to Tara. Here's how.
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Tara has your back and wants to hear from you. Reach her by email, Twitter or Facebook.Do you need to Turn to Tara?
Tara has your back and wants to hear from you. Reach her by email, Twitter or Facebook.Turn to Tara partners with Documenting Hate to report on hate crimes
Turn to Tara partners with Documenting Hate to report on hate crimes
Turn to Tara and News 12 are partnering with Documenting Hate -- a collaborative journalism project led by nonprofit investigative newsroom ProPublica -- to track and report on hate crimes.
Turn to Tara and News 12 are partnering with Documenting Hate -- a collaborative journalism project led by nonprofit investigative newsroom ProPublica -- to track and report on hate crimes around the country. Have you been the victim or witness of a hate crime or bias incident? Tell us your story. #dh-form-embed { width: 500px; }
Turn to Tara and News 12 are partnering with Documenting Hate -- a collaborative journalism project led by nonprofit investigative newsroom ProPublica -- to track and report on hate crimes around the country. Have you been the victim or witness of a hate crime or bias incident? Tell us your story. #dh-form-embed { width: 500px; }
School of Pain: Local leaders pledge to take tough stance against bullying
School of Pain: Local leaders pledge to take tough stance against bullying
Top elected leaders in the Hudson Valley say they are pledging to take action against the bullying epidemic in local schools.Top elected leaders in the Hudson Valley say they are pledging to take action against the bullying epidemic in local schools.School Of Pain: School leader says 'we can always do better'
School Of Pain: School leader says 'we can always do better'
School Of Pain: School leader says ‘we can always do better’
School Of Pain: School leader says ‘we can always do better’
News 12 had initially reached out to 68 superintendents in four counties, but only two agreed to be interviewed.News 12 had initially reached out to 68 superintendents in four counties, but only two agreed to be interviewed.School of Pain: Schools accused of turning blind eye to bullying
School of Pain: Schools accused of turning blind eye to bullying
A young boy cries recounting his experience of being bullied at school.
A young boy cries recounting his experience of being bullied at school.
News 12 has discovered that some of the largest schools might be turning a blind eye - at times with deadly consequences.News 12 has discovered that some of the largest schools might be turning a blind eye - at times with deadly consequences.Turn To Tara: Dangerous drugs in our meat?
Turn To Tara: Dangerous drugs in our meat?
Data suggests that trace amounts of ketamine, a popular but dangerous party drug better known as Special K, have shown up in the nation's meat supply.
Data suggests that trace amounts of ketamine, a popular but dangerous party drug better known as Special K, have shown up in the nation's meat supply.
Turn to Tara: Lawmakers fuming over lack of security at train stations
Turn to Tara: Lawmakers fuming over lack of security at train stations
Westchester County Executive George Latimer says he is outraged that 75 percent of train stations in the county lack security cameras.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer says he is outraged that 75 percent of train stations in the county lack security cameras.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer says he is outraged that 75 percent of train stations in the county lack security cameras.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer says he is outraged that 75 percent of train stations in the county lack security cameras.
Turn To Tara: Three-quarters of Westchester’s train stations lack cameras
Turn To Tara: Three-quarters of Westchester’s train stations lack cameras
A five-month long Turn To Tara investigation has revealed that almost 75 percent of Westchester's train stations are lacking security cameras.
A five-month long Turn To Tara investigation has revealed that almost 75 percent of Westchester's train stations are lacking security cameras.
EXCLUSIVE: Family torn apart by war, heartbreak decades ago becomes one
EXCLUSIVE: Family torn apart by war, heartbreak decades ago becomes one
After helping a Yorktown veteran set up a meeting with his first love after decades of being apart,
After helping a Yorktown veteran set up a meeting with his first love after decades of being apart,
Turn To Tara: Westchester tourism boom
Turn To Tara: Westchester tourism boom
New research shows tourism in Westchester County is booming.
New research shows tourism in Westchester County is booming.
