Irving Gonzalez-Bocanegra, 25, of Hermosillo, Mexico, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of wire fraud and one count of possession of fifteen or more counterfeit credit cards, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.
Gonzalez-Bocanegra and his co-defendants, Javier Miranda-Molina and Rafael Perez, were present and traveling together in Boise on March 31, 2015, for the purpose of using counterfeit credit cards to make fraudulent purchases of merchandise and gift cards, according to the plea agreement. The defendants engaged in a number of transactions, at a variety of stores, using credit cards the defendants knew to be counterfeit.
The defendants fraudulently obtained merchandise valued at approximately $5,117.63. Prior to arriving in Boise, on March 29 and 30, 2015, the defendants engaged in similar fraudulent transactions in Montana and obtained merchandise valued at approximately $8,184.01.
When arrested in Boise, the defendants were working together to package and ship a variety of merchandise purchased with counterfeit credit cards, such as GoPro Hero 4 Cameras, Samsung Galaxy Nooks, and video game systems. They had in their joint possession a number of counterfeit credit cards. These included: approximately eighty-four counterfeit credit cards taped into the pages of a magazine; three counterfeit credit cards recovered from the trash, and three counterfeit credit cards found in the driver’s side door pocket of their rental car.
Gonzalez-Bocanegra agreed to the forfeiture of, and to abandon any interest in, all credit cards, gift cards, merchandise, and other items seized at his arrest. The defendants were charged with wire fraud because all of the described transactions resulted in wire communications that were foreseeable to the defendants, in particular, interstate transmissions by wire of information from the point of sale terminals in the stores to the credit card payment processers and to the account-issuing banks located in different states.
This case demonstrates how federal and local law enforcement cooperate with Idaho businesses to protect business integrity and consumer confidence from the costs and victimization imposed by fraud, said U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. Wire fraud is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and a special assessment of $100. Possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to ten years, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and a special assessment of $100.
Gonzalez-Bocanegra’s sentencing is set before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise on October 27, 2015. Co-defendant Rafael Perez, 31, of Guaymas, Mexico, is set for a plea hearing on August 11, 2015. Co-defendant Javier Miranda-Molina, 22 of Sonora, Mexico, pleaded guilty on August 4, 2015 and is set for a sentencing hearing on October 14, 2015.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Boise Police Department. The case showcases a collaborative effort between federal and local law enforcement agencies to protect consumers from fraudulent activities.
Irving Gonzalez-Bocanegra, a 25-year-old from Mexico, was arrested on March 31, 2015, in Boise, Idaho, for his involvement in using counterfeit credit cards to make fraudulent purchases. He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of possession of 15 or more counterfeit credit cards.
Gonzalez-Bocanegra faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his crimes. His sentencing is set for October 27, 2015. He has agreed to forfeit all credit cards, gift cards, merchandise, and other items seized at his arrest.
This case is a reminder of the importance of protecting consumer confidence and business integrity. The United States Secret Service and the Boise Police Department worked together to investigate this case and bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to the plea agreement, Gonzalez-Bocanegra and his co-defendants, Javier Miranda-Molina and Rafael Perez, were present and traveling together in Boise on March 31, 2015, for the purpose of using counterfeit credit cards to make fraudulent purchases of merchandise and gift cards.
The defendants engaged in a number of transactions, at a variety of stores, using credit cards the defendants knew to be counterfeit. The defendants fraudulently obtained merchandise valued at approximately $5,117.63. Prior to arriving in Boise, on March 29 and 30, 2015, the defendants engaged in similar fraudulent transactions in Montana and obtained merchandise valued at approximately $8,184.01.
When arrested in Boise, the defendants were working together to package and ship a variety of merchandise purchased with counterfeit credit cards, such as GoPro Hero 4 Cameras, Samsung Galaxy Nooks, and video game systems. They had in their joint possession a number of counterfeit credit cards.
Gonzalez-Bocanegra agreed to the forfeiture of, and to abandon any interest in, all credit cards, gift cards, merchandise, and other items seized at his arrest. The defendants were charged with wire fraud because all of the described transactions resulted in wire communications that were foreseeable to the defendants, in particular, interstate transmissions by wire of information from the point of sale terminals in the stores to the credit card payment processers and to the account-issuing banks located in different states.
According to the United States Attorney, Wendy J. Olson, this case demonstrates how federal and local law enforcement cooperate with Idaho businesses to protect business integrity and consumer confidence from the costs and victimization imposed by fraud.
Sentencing date: October 27, 2015
Defendant: Irving Gonzalez-Bocanegra
Charge: Wire fraud and possession of counterfeit credit cards
Dollar amount: $5,117.63 and $8,184.01
Punishment: Up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine
Related Federal Cases
- Irving Gonzalez-Bocanegra, Wire Fraud and Possession of Counterfeit Credit Cards, Idaho 2015 · Idaho
- Tina Rae Wood, Wire Fraud, Idaho 2022 · Idaho
- Clinton Curry, Counterfeit Currency Fraud, Idaho 2023 · Washington
- Teri Anne Bell, Wire Fraud, Montana 2023 · Idaho
- Raymond Marcellous Blair, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Montana 2026 · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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