Press Release
MEMBERS OF TRI-COUNTY IDENTITY THEFT RING INDICTED
October 06, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau Investigation, and Al Lamberti, Broward County Sheriff, announced that defendants, Fitzroy Carter, 30, of Plantation, Kearn Matthew, 23, of Lauderhill, Tabitha Castro, 25, of Pompano Beach, and Franz Gayle, 32, of Sunrise, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the Indictment, the defendants were part of an identity theft ring that targeted victims in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. The defendants allegedly obtained personal information regarding the identity theft victim, including their names, dates of birth, phone numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers, e-mail addresses, driver’s license numbers and home addresses. The defendants used this information to purchase via the internet more than $300,000 in computer equipment on credit obtained in the names of the individuals whose identity they had been stolen. After purchasing the computers, the defendants directed that the computers be shipped to the home address of the identity theft victim. Then, knowing the approximate date and time of delivery, the defendants presented false information to the delivery truck driver, falsely representing to be the identity theft victim. The defendants then took possession of the fraudulently purchased computers.
If convicted, Carter faces a maximum of 80' years imprisonment. Matthew faces a maximum of 60 years’ imprisonment. Castro and Gayle face a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment.
Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and United States Secret Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey A. Neiman.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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