ALEXANDRIA, VA – A brazen attempt to arm himself with stolen identities landed Italian national Wilford Amoako Osei, 23, a two-year federal prison sentence today. Osei, residing in Woodbridge, Virginia, was convicted of aggravated identity theft after using another person’s credit card information to illegally purchase a firearm.
Court records show Osei placed a $1,249 online order for a firearm on June 2, 2024, brazenly using someone else’s name and credit card number without their consent. The victim had already reported the card lost or stolen, but that didn’t deter Osei. He successfully received the firearm on June 24, 2024, from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Woodbridge – a clear failure in the system he exploited.
But one gun wasn’t enough. Between June 24, 2024, and August 30, 2024, Osei relentlessly attempted to purchase more firearms online. He repeatedly used the stolen identities and credit card details of other victims, racking up six failed attempts. Thankfully, these subsequent orders were blocked or cancelled before completion, preventing further illegal weapon acquisitions.
U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, announced the sentencing following a hearing before U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff. The case underscores the ongoing threat of identity theft fueling illegal gun purchases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel K. Amzallag skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid legal argument that led to Osei’s conviction and subsequent sentencing. This conviction sends a message: exploiting stolen identities to obtain firearms will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and any related appeals.
Those seeking further details can find a copy of the press release on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents are available on the District Court website or through PACER, searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-41.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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