Jonathan Orpilla, Access Device Fraud, Louisiana 2022

A California man has been brought to justice for his role in a massive scheme that swindled The Home Depot out of over $300,000 in fraudulent purchases. Jonathan Orpilla, 37, of San Jose, California, pleaded guilty on August 18, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud.

According to court documents, Orpilla conspired with others to conduct approximately $340,164.49 in unauthorized purchases of gift cards and products at Home Depot stores using customers’ Citibank credit card numbers. These transactions occurred between February of 2019 and July of 2019 at Home Depot stores in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, New York, and Oklahoma.

The scheme, which lasted for nearly a year, saw Orpilla and his accomplices use stolen credit card information to make large purchases at Home Depot stores across the country. The total amount of money swindled from the home improvement retailer was a staggering $340,164.49.

Orpilla faces a maximum penalty of seven-and-a-half (7.5) years imprisonment, a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, the Oklahoma City Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.

The Honorable Barry W. Ashe set sentencing in this matter for November 10, 2022. Orpilla will likely face a harsh sentence due to the severity of the crime and the large amount of money involved. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting consumers and businesses from financial crimes.

The Home Depot has not commented on the matter, but it is clear that the company was severely impacted by the scheme. The incident highlights the need for businesses to take measures to protect themselves from financial crimes and to educate their customers on how to avoid falling victim to such schemes.

Orpilla’s guilty plea is a significant victory for law enforcement and the citizens of Louisiana. It demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to holding individuals accountable for their crimes and to protecting the public from financial harm.

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