Grimy Times has learned that Frantz Felisma, a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy, has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft after initially trying to withdraw his guilty plea.
Felisma, 42, of Boynton Beach, used his police-issued laptop to access a law enforcement database and obtain personally identifying information (PII) belonging to numerous individuals. He sold this information to his co-conspirator, who used the identities of at least 15 victims to set up credit card and bank accounts, stealing tens of thousands of dollars in the names of the victims.
The scheme, which lasted for approximately 18 months, resulted in financial losses of between $150,000 and $250,000. Felisma’s conduct caused significant harm to the victims, who had their identities stolen and used for financial gain.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, along with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), the Lantana Police Department, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), worked together to investigate the case.
Felisma initially pled guilty to access device fraud in connection with the identity theft scheme on March 23, 2017. However, he later moved to withdraw his guilty plea and the matter was set for trial. On June 29, 2017, Felisma re-affirmed his guilt by pleading to the initial charges of conviction.
Felisma faces a mandatory minimum of two years’ imprisonment, to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed, as to the aggravated identity theft charge; and a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment as to the access device fraud charge. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 1, 2017, before Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.
The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the importance of law enforcement working together to combat identity theft and financial crimes. Grimy Times commends the efforts of the agencies involved in this case and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their dedication to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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