Anthony Wade Evans, Credit Card Fraud, California 2018

Music Producer Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Credit Card Fraud

A music producer who has worked on several Grammy Award-winning projects was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for fraudulently using his clients' credit card information to purchase services for his wedding, as well as airline fares and hotel reservations for himself and his family.

Anthony Wade Evans, a.k.a. Devine Evans, 45, of Porter Ranch, was sentenced by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner, who also ordered him to pay $34,810 in restitution to American Express.

Evans pleaded guilty in December 2018 to one count of aggravated identity theft. The unauthorized charges totaled approximately $100,792, with $37,729 in charges from one victim's credit card and $63,063 in charges from another victim's credit card.

The United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Keith D. Ellison of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering and Racketeering Section prosecuted the case.

The victim's business manager called American Express in May 2018 to report suspicious transactions on the client's credit card. The investigation revealed that Evans had used the credit cards to book flights and pay for other travel arrangements for himself and his family members, as well as to purchase rental services and other event-related services for his wedding.

Evans will serve his 24-month sentence in federal prison. He will also pay $34,810 in restitution to American Express. The total loss in this case was $100,792.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/music-producer-sentenced-2-years-federal-prison-using-clients-credit-cards-personal