Aliquippa Man Admits to Counterfeit Card Scheme

PITTSBURGH, PA – Rayvon Oscar Kyles, 21, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, is facing federal prison time after admitting to a year-long scheme involving counterfeit credit cards. The Beaver County resident pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to use counterfeit credit cards before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill.

According to federal prosecutors, Kyles and his associates systematically targeted Walmart stores across Western Pennsylvania between June 2010 and June 2011. The operation involved the use of fabricated credit cards to purchase merchandise, effectively stealing from both the retail giant and the legitimate cardholders whose information was compromised.

United States Attorney David J. Hickton’s office successfully prosecuted the case, with Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci leading the charge. The investigation was a collaborative effort spearheaded by Inspectors from the United States Postal Inspection Service and agents from the United States Secret Service, operating under the banner of the Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF).

The WPFCTF, a multi-agency initiative, was specifically designed to combat financial crimes – including the increasingly prevalent issue of identity fraud – throughout the region. The task force boasts participation from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Department of Homeland Security, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Kyles now awaits sentencing, scheduled for May 2, 2013. He faces a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison, a hefty fine of $250,000, or a combination of both. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Cohill, taking into account the severity of the offense and any prior criminal history Kyles may have.

This case serves as a stark reminder that financial crimes, even those seemingly limited to retail theft, carry significant federal penalties. The WPFCTF’s continued vigilance is crucial in dismantling these operations and protecting the financial security of Western Pennsylvanians. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.