Dees Faces Years for Identity Theft Ring

PITTSBURGH, PA – A North Side man is staring down a potential prison sentence after admitting his role in a widespread identity theft and credit card fraud scheme stretching across Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Joseph Dees, also known as Joseph Lee and Jay Dees, 52, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty in federal court today to charges of conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.

The guilty plea, accepted by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab, details a calculated operation where Dees and his co-conspirators illegally obtained credit card information. This stolen data was then used to purchase merchandise from various stores throughout both states, leaving a trail of financial wreckage for victims. The United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced the plea, signaling a significant win for federal investigators.

While details of *how* the credit card information was obtained remain tightly guarded, sources within the investigation confirm it was a sophisticated operation, not a simple skimming scheme. Dees’s multiple aliases suggest an attempt to evade law enforcement and obscure his activities. The investigation, a joint effort by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service, has been ongoing for months.

Judge Schwab has scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2013. Dees is facing a maximum total sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. However, the aggravated identity theft charge carries a *mandatory* minimum sentence of 24 months incarceration, meaning Dees will spend at least two years behind bars, regardless of any mitigating factors. A second $250,000 fine accompanies this mandatory minimum.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is leading the prosecution, promising a vigorous pursuit of justice. Federal Sentencing Guidelines will be a major factor in determining the final sentence, taking into account the severity of the crimes and any prior criminal record Dees may have. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing outcome.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of identity theft and the serious consequences for those involved. The collaborative effort between the Postal Inspection Service and Secret Service highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in combating these increasingly complex financial crimes. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional arrests.

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