NEW ORLEANS, LA – Myles Nicholas, 33, of Jamaica, New York, is headed to federal prison for 25 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter on November 18, 2020, concludes a case rooted in a brazen attempt to fleece a Baton Rouge-area Best Buy.
The scheme began to unravel in June 2019, when the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force received intel that Nicholas and his accomplice, Terrence Nealy, were flying into New Orleans. Agents with the U.S. Secret Service and deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately initiated surveillance at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. They observed Nicholas and Nealy arriving on a flight from New York’s JFK.
Instead of hitting the French Quarter, the pair immediately rented a car and sped to Baton Rouge. There, they allegedly opened a $4,000 line of credit at a Best Buy store using a stolen identity. Their attempt to quickly capitalize on the fraudulent account – purchasing an Apple MacBook Pro – was swiftly rejected by Best Buy’s internal security measures. The duo didn’t linger. They jumped back in their rental car and made the return trip to New Orleans.
The Task Force wasn’t far behind. Later that same day, Nicholas and Nealy were apprehended near their hotel in downtown New Orleans by a coordinated team of state and federal law enforcement. The arrest marked a successful collaboration between agencies including the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and multiple Louisiana sheriff’s offices and police departments. The Task Force’s scope is extensive, encompassing agencies from across the state and federal government.
Terrence Nealy has also admitted guilt and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2021. U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser lauded the combined efforts of the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force, emphasizing the importance of interagency cooperation in combating financial crime. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew R. Payne prosecuted the case.
This case serves as a stark reminder that attempts to exploit financial systems, even across state lines, will be met with a robust law enforcement response. The coordinated action of the Task Force underscores the commitment to protecting businesses and citizens from the damaging effects of fraud and identity theft. The Eastern District of Louisiana continues to aggressively pursue these types of crimes.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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