LAFAYETTE, La. – A New Orleans man is headed to federal prison after a haul of 282 counterfeit credit and debit cards landed him in hot water. Bruce Daliet, 34, was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on a charge of possession of 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices.
The case dates back to January 9, 2015, when a Louisiana State Police trooper pulled over a rental car in St. Martin Parish. Inside, officers found a pink suitcase crammed with the fake cards, alongside $4,000 worth of gift cards. The trooper’s hunch – or sharp observation – proved correct; the vehicle was a mobile fraud operation.
Court records reveal that 156 of the counterfeit cards bore the name of Daliet’s co-defendant, Brittany Sanders, 35, also of New Orleans. Another 126 were embossed with Daliet’s name. The pair appear to have been operating a sophisticated scheme, attempting to flood the market with fraudulent plastic.
Daliet will also serve three years of supervised release after his prison term and has been ordered to pay $14,010 in restitution. Sanders, who previously pleaded guilty, received the same 30-month sentence and three years of supervised release on February 22, 2018, and is also responsible for $14,010 in restitution. It’s a double blow to the duo, and a clear message from federal authorities.
The U.S. Secret Service took the lead on the investigation, working in conjunction with the Louisiana State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case, bringing the evidence before the court. This wasn’t a victimless crime; the financial impact of counterfeit cards ripples through the economy, hitting businesses and consumers alike.
While the bust occurred three years ago, the sentencing signals the conclusion of a lengthy investigation. The Secret Service, typically known for protecting dignitaries, maintains a robust financial crimes division, and this case highlights their commitment to tackling fraud at all levels. The Western District of Louisiana, under U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph, continues to prioritize prosecuting these types of offenses.
Related Federal Cases
- Izell Mayes, Possession of Counterfeit Credit Cards, La, 2014 · Texas
- Deborah Fortner Indicted for LRHP Grant Fraud, New Orleans LA, 2007 · Ohio
- Laquentin Brown, Sex Trafficking Conspiracy, New Orleans LA, 2023 · Tennessee
- Santos Gavarrete-Nataren, Gun Smuggling, New Orleans LA, 2023 · Georgia
- Ambrose Williams, Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, New Orleans LA, … · Washington
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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