NEW BERN, N.C. – Alejandro Garlynn Williams, 40, is facing the consequences after a federal jury found him guilty on all counts related to a brazen identity theft and fraud scheme that cost AT&T over $85,000. The conviction, handed down today, caps a case detailing how Williams exploited his position at an AT&T store in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to line his pockets at the expense of unsuspecting victims.
The scheme, which ran from October 2017 to January 2018, involved Williams conspiring with Anthony Jamison, of Hamlet, North Carolina, to open fraudulent AT&T accounts using stolen personal identifying information (PII). Jamison, who previously pleaded guilty, allegedly supplied Williams with Social Security numbers and dates of birth harvested from victims in both North and South Carolina. The goal? To obtain high-end cell phones for resale on the black market.
Court records reveal a calculated operation. Jamison would dispatch “customers” – recruited accomplices – into the AT&T store to interact with Williams while surveillance cameras rolled. Williams, abusing his access, would run credit checks on the stolen identities, activate lines of service in the victims’ names, and hand over the phones. Crucially, he ensured these phones were acquired through financing plans requiring minimal upfront payment, leaving the victims saddled with the bills. Many only discovered the fraud when unexpected AT&T statements arrived in the mail.
The scale of the operation was significant. In one instance, Williams used a single victim’s stolen PII to issue nine iPhone devices, valued at over $8,500, on installment plans. This wasn’t an isolated incident. The total losses to AT&T, including phones and accessories, exceeded $85,000.00, painting a picture of systematic exploitation. The U.S. Secret Service led the investigation, with valuable assistance from AT&T’s asset protection unit, meticulously building a case against Williams.
“This conviction demonstrates our commitment to aggressively pursuing those who exploit personal information for financial gain,” said Michael F. Easley, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, following the verdict. Assistant United States Attorney Adam F. Hulbig prosecuted the case. The jury found Williams guilty of conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Sentencing details are pending before United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan.
The case, filed as Case No. 5:20-cr-00547-FL-2 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, serves as a stark warning. While authorities are cracking down on these schemes, consumers must remain vigilant about protecting their personal information and promptly report any suspicious activity. The full court record is available on PACER.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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