Story by Ethan
On October 3rd, 2025, the arrest of Kareem Reeves and Michael Robertson, ages 36 and 35, was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Kareem Reeves and Michael Robertson were charged with first-degree Identity Theft, second-degree Grand Larceny, second-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, second-degree Attempted Grand Larceny, and other unspecified charges. The arrest and charges against Kareem Reeves and Michael Robertson were a result of an investigation handled by the District Attorney’s Major Economic Crimes Bureau in close partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, their Major Economic Crimes Bureau was notified of potential fraudulent activity from January 2020 to January 2022. An investigation uncovered that Kareem Reeves had allegedly sent fraudulent unemployment insurance applications under 42 different agency names in 11 unique states, including New York. Allegedly he stole a total of approximately $655,706, and had allegedly attempted to steal another $59,590. Simultaneously Michael Robertson allegedly also submitted fraudulent unemployment insurance applications to the New York Department of Labor under the names of 12 different victims. Allegedly he stole a total of $180,201, and had attempted to steal another $109,350.
It is alleged that during March 2025 Miachael Robertson had illegally gained access to multiple brokerage accounts belonging to a Pennsylvania citizen. Michael Robertson allegedly used the brokerage accounts to illegally authorize selling approximately $1.2 million of assets belonging to the victim. The proceeds of the sale allegedly were then transferred to a bank account belonging to Michael Robertson before then being laundered through several other bank accounts in the defendant’s name. Both Kareem Reeves and Michael Robertson were arrested on the morning of October 1st, and several financial documents linking the defendants to the alleged crimes were recovered.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Kareem Reeves and Michael Robertson are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
