Ambridge Conspirator Smith, Stolen Credit Card Scam, PA, 2023

PITTSBURGH, PA – Courtney McFeaters, 33, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, walked out of court yesterday, having served 19 months for her role in a multi-state credit card fraud ring. U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab handed down the sentence, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The case, brought by U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton, reveals a calculated scheme that stretched across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.

The Grimy Times has learned McFeaters wasn’t acting alone. She conspired with Calvin Smith and Joseph Dees to illegally obtain and utilize stolen American Express credit card information. Between December 2010 and June 2011, the trio allegedly used the compromised accounts to purchase merchandise from various retail stores. The details of *what* was purchased remain sealed, but sources suggest it wasn’t small-time shopping.

Federal prosecutors laid out the evidence before Judge Schwab, painting a picture of a coordinated effort to defraud financial institutions and retailers. While the amount of money involved hasn’t been publicly disclosed, the scope of the operation – spanning three states – indicates a significant financial impact. The investigation, a collaborative effort, suggests this wasn’t an isolated incident.

The bust was a joint operation spearheaded by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service. They weren’t alone, however. Agents from the Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF) provided crucial support, bringing together a powerful coalition of law enforcement agencies. The WPFCTF, established in 1995, is a dedicated unit focused on tackling financial crimes – including the ever-present threat of identity fraud – throughout Western Pennsylvania.

The WPFCTF’s partners read like a who’s who of local and federal law enforcement: the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Secret Service, the Postal Inspection Service, 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. This multi-agency approach underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating financial crimes in the region.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory C. Melucci skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ultimately, the time-served sentence for McFeaters. While McFeaters avoids further incarceration, the three years of supervised release will ensure she remains under scrutiny. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly “victimless” financial crimes carry serious consequences, and that federal agencies are actively working to bring perpetrators to justice.