NEW ORLEANS – Lakisha Williams, 41, of New Orleans, will spend the next nine years in federal prison after being sentenced today for her role in a sophisticated credit card fraud ring that spanned multiple states. U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe delivered the sentence after Williams pleaded guilty to a slew of federal charges, including conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The scheme, detailed in court documents, revolved around obtaining stolen credit and debit card information. Williams and her co-defendants weren’t just skimming numbers; they were actively encoding the stolen data onto counterfeit cards. These cards were then used to purchase merchandise at retail stores, followed by fraudulent returns at different locations of the same chain, with the ill-gotten gains diverted into their own bank accounts. It’s a classic bait-and-switch, but executed across state lines with chilling efficiency.
This wasn’t a local operation. Williams and her crew were hitting the road, traveling to cities across the country to execute their fraud. Court records show trips to Charleston, South Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; Richmond, Virginia; and Charlotte, North Carolina. They were professional criminals, moving from city to city to avoid detection and maximize their profits. The total loss attributable to Williams and her co-conspirators is estimated between $150,000.00 and $250,000.00.
Judge Ashe broke down the sentencing as follows: 60 months for conspiracy to commit access device fraud, 84 months for possession of fifteen or more counterfeit access devices, and another 84 months for possession of device-making equipment – all to be served concurrently. But the judge didn’t stop there. A mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft will run consecutively to the other sentences, ensuring Williams remains behind bars for a full nine years. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee per count, and a restitution hearing is scheduled for August 4, 2022, to determine any additional funds owed to victims.
Leslie Pichon, U.S. Secret Service New Orleans Special Agent in Charge, stated, “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those, like Ms. Williams, who engage in fraudulent schemes that prey on the finances of innocent victims and businesses within our community will be held accountable.” The case highlights the importance of interagency cooperation. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the collaborative efforts of the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force, which includes representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, and a dozen local and state law enforcement agencies.
The conviction of Lakisha Williams is a clear signal that federal authorities are actively targeting and prosecuting individuals involved in complex financial crime schemes. The Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force will continue to investigate and dismantle these operations, protecting businesses and citizens from the devastating effects of fraud and identity theft. This case serves as a warning: exploiting the financial system will carry serious consequences.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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