Fishnick Pleads Guilty

Jeremy J. Fishnick, a 26-year-old man from Lancaster, Wisconsin, has pleaded guilty to defrauding local retailers by switching UPC codes on consumer products. Fishnick was convicted of one count of wire fraud in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

According to the plea agreement, Fishnick used home computer equipment and a printer to create fraudulent UPC codes on adhesive labels. He then entered retail stores and covered real UPC codes on higher-priced models of certain products using the fraudulent UPC codes he created. This caused the items to reflect substantially lower prices when electronically scanned at checkout.

Fishnick admitted to fraudulently purchasing products from stores in at least Dubuque, Iowa, Maquoketa, Iowa, Anamosa, Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Coralville, Iowa, Monticello, Iowa, and Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. His scheme caused a loss to retailers of more than $30,000.

The investigation into Fishnick’s activities was conducted by multiple police departments, including the Dubuque, Iowa, Police Department; the Maquoketa, Iowa, Police Department; the Anamosa, Iowa, Police Department; the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Police Department; the Coralville, Iowa, Police Department; the Monticello, Iowa, Police Department; the Vinton, Iowa, Police Department; the Lancaster, Wisconsin, Police Department; and the Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan. Fishnick was released on bond pending sentencing, which will be set after a presentence report is prepared. He faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, with the case file number being 13-1009 LRR. The case highlights the importance of retailers being vigilant about potential scams and the need for law enforcement to collaborate in investigating and prosecuting such crimes.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be a crucial step in bringing closure to the case. The outcome will depend on various factors, including the severity of the crime and Fishnick’s cooperation with the authorities. As the case progresses, it will be important to monitor the developments and ensure that justice is served.