Detroit Men Sentenced in $500K Credit Card Fraud Ring

Four Detroit men are behind bars after being sentenced in a sprawling credit card fraud ring that bled over half a million dollars from financial institutions and innocent victims. Terry Lewis, 41, Eric Dismukes, 40, Pastor Julius Baker, 33, and Darrius Guyton, 29, were handed stiff federal prison terms for their roles in a scheme built on stolen identities and fraudulent transactions across Metro Detroit.

On January 25, 2017, U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith sentenced Terry Lewis to 60 months in federal prison. The sentencing followed earlier rulings against his co-conspirators: Eric Dismukes received 75 months, Pastor Julius Baker 42 months, and Darrius Guyton 39 months. Each will also serve three years of supervised release once they leave prison, a period during which any slip could land them back inside.

The fraud unfolded through the theft of personal identifying information, which Dismukes and Lewis used to create and activate counterfeit credit cards. Those cards were deployed across retail stores and ATMs, draining cash and goods through brazen real-time transactions. The operation wasn’t solo—Dismukes and Lewis handed off cards to Baker and Guyton, expanding the ring’s reach and damage.

One of the most audacious moves came from Pastor Julius Baker, who exploited his position by using a credit card terminal registered to Rock Community Christian Church. Baker processed fraudulent transactions through the church’s system and then funneled the illicit proceeds into personal accounts. That betrayal of trust deepened the crime’s impact beyond dollars—it corroded community faith.

Collectively, the fraud ring caused losses exceeding $500,000. Judge Goldsmith ordered each defendant to pay restitution: Dismukes and Baker each owe $150,000, Lewis must pay $40,000, and Guyton is liable for $15,000. The court made clear: stealing identities and exploiting systems carries a heavy price.

The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation, tracking digital footprints and financial trails to dismantle the ring. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Yahkind prosecuted the case, ensuring the convictions reflected the severity of the crimes. For now, the streets are free of this crew—but the scars of their fraud linger in bank records and broken trust.

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