Two Miami men are headed for federal prison after admitting their roles in a widespread debit card fraud operation that stretched across central Florida. Wilbert Theodore, 30, and Ralph August Lohier, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville. Each faces up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, followed by a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for identity theft.
The scheme, active in 2016, involved re-encoding stolen debit card data onto blank cards, then using them to drain victims’ accounts. Lohier and Theodore conspired with a third individual in South Florida to obtain legitimate account numbers tied to real bank accounts. The fraudsters then created counterfeit cards with Lohier’s name and the alias C.S. embossed on them. Theodore furthered the ruse by acquiring a fake Florida driver’s license in the name of C.S.—featuring his own photo.
Armed with the fake IDs and re-encoded cards, the pair traveled from Miami to Flagler and Orange Counties, hitting retail stores, withdrawing cash, and loading funds onto reloadable debit cards. They also executed multiple Western Union transfers, funneling money through a web of illicit transactions. Authorities say the operation was designed to move fast and leave little trace—until a routine traffic stop grounded their crime spree.
On March 8, 2016, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a vehicle on I-95 in Flagler County. Lohier was behind the wheel, with Theodore in the passenger seat. During the stop, the trooper discovered the counterfeit driver’s license—clearly bearing Theodore’s face but issued in the name of C.S. As they were detained, both men tried to hide dozens of re-encoded Visa debit cards in the rear of the car.
A full search of Lohier’s vehicle uncovered more fraudulent cards in the names of Lohier and C.S., along with computer media and a credit card re-encoder used to manufacture the stolen cards. Investigators later confirmed the pair had possessed 86 re-encoded debit cards tied to compromised financial accounts. The equipment seized provided a digital paper trail that sealed their case.
The investigation was led by the Florida Highway Patrol and the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Frein is prosecuting the case. As part of their plea, both Theodore and Lohier agreed to forfeit the computer media and re-encoder used in the crimes. Sentencing is pending, but the mandatory minimum ensures neither will walk free for at least two years.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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