NEW ORLEANS, LA – Juliet Estrada Perez, 24, a Cuban national with a penchant for fleeing justice, learned a harsh lesson in federal court today. U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown handed down a 36-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a sophisticated credit card skimming operation targeting the New Orleans area.
Estrada Perez, formerly residing in Florida, traveled to Louisiana in late July 2015 with a crew determined to rip off unsuspecting gas pump customers. Court records detail a conspiracy to install card skimming devices on gas pumps, pilfering data to create counterfeit cards. The operation wasn’t limited to simple theft; the crew possessed a full suite of tools – a card encoding machine, a card embossing machine, and a laptop brimming with stolen financial information.
The feds weren’t fooled for long. While out on bond for this very case in April 2016, Estrada Perez and a codefendant were nabbed in South Florida on *new* credit card fraud charges. But the attempted escape didn’t end there. She and two other codefendants were later intercepted by the United States Coast Guard in the Florida Strait, attempting to make a run for Cuba. Six defendants have now pleaded guilty in total, all tied to possessing fifteen or more unauthorized access devices and the tools to make them.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite didn’t mince words, announcing the sentence and emphasizing the collaborative effort that brought Estrada Perez to justice. She’s been ordered to pay $7,873.97 in restitution, jointly and severally with her accomplices, plus a $100 special assessment. This isn’t just about the money, though – it’s about holding criminals accountable for exploiting innocent people.
The investigation, a joint effort by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the United States Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, uncovered a network of individuals dedicated to financial fraud. Assistant Attorney Hayden Brockett led the prosecution, meticulously building a case that ultimately landed Estrada Perez behind bars. The Coast Guard’s involvement highlights the lengths criminals will go to avoid facing the consequences of their actions.
This case serves as a stark reminder that federal agencies are actively working to dismantle these types of operations. Skimming devices are a persistent threat, and consumers should always be vigilant when using ATMs and gas pumps. Check for any signs of tampering and report anything suspicious immediately. Estrada Perez’s attempt to flee the country only compounded her problems, ultimately leading to a substantial prison sentence.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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