(CAÑON CITY, Colo.) — An arrest warrant for charges out of Cañon City has been issued for a Venezuelan national who is suspected of being in the country illegally and is already in custody in Denver, in connection with an elaborate ATM jackpotting scheme.
According to the Cañon City Police Department (CCPD), 25-year-old Joel Alejandro Morantes-Leal is currently being held on felony cybercrime and misdemeanor third-degree burglary charges out of Cañon City. He was originally taken into custody on May 29, 2025, in the Denver area as part of ongoing investigations linked to similar crimes.
“The case rapidly expanded, bringing together multiple agencies from various jurisdictions and states,” wrote CCPD.
Jackpotting, which is a type of cyberattack, has been around for several years, and according to the Associated Press (AP), financial institutions were warned about the crime by the Secret Service in 2018.
“Secret Service officials say the crime involves installing malicious software or hardware at ATMs that force the machines to release large quantities of cash on demand,” according to the AP.
Cañon City police detailed that the jackpotting investigation began in Fremont County “…following the compromise of a Cañon City bank ATM in May 2025, which resulted in the theft of approximately $68,000.”
The police department thanked regional and federal law enforcement agencies for their collaborative efforts. “While we would like to name these agencies specifically, this case involves multiple agencies whose status involves active and ongoing investigations into those matters.”
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