Alexandru Stoica, Access Device Fraud & Aggravated Identity Theft, Alabama 2023

Birmingham, AL – In a guilty plea, Alexandru Stoica, 35, has admitted to committing multiple counts of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft in Limestone County in October 2019.

According to the plea agreement, Stoica knowingly used and attempted to use unauthorized access devices – gift cards – encoded with bank account numbers, each issued to other persons, for the purpose of withdrawing money from the bank accounts.

The maximum penalty for fraudulent use of a counterfeit access device is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain, whichever is greater. The maximum penalty for both using and attempting to use a counterfeit access device is 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss and a possible fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence per count. At least one count must run consecutively to the other sentences and the remaining counts can run either concurrently or consecutively to each other.

U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town stated, “Stoica and the criminal element with whom he works specifically target our communities here in the Northern District of Alabama because of a perceived weakness in ATM security. That perception was proven wrong with his guilty plea. He will now have plenty of time to reconsider that strategy.”

Assistant Special Agent in Charge James G. Hernandez added, “The hardworking people of this community can rest easier now that this fraudster is no longer able to steal their money. Catching and prosecuting criminals that attack the integrity of the United States’ financial system is one of HSI’s top priorities.”

The case was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Pillsbury is prosecuting.

The 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice is being celebrated in 2020. More information on the history of the agency can be found at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

Defendant/respondent: Alexandru Stoica

Criminal charges: nine-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Alexandru Stoica with three counts of illegally possessing and using fraudulent access devices and six counts of aggravated identity theft

City and state: Birmingham, AL

Date: October 2019

Sentence or outcome: Alexandru Stoica has pled guilty

Dollar amounts: $250,000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/romanian-man-pleads-guilty-access-device-fraud-and-aggravated-identity-theft