CLEVELAND, OH – Twelve individuals are facing federal charges after a sprawling investigation revealed a sophisticated scheme to steal credit card information from gas pumps across five states. The operation, which ran from August 2014 to July 2017, impacted thousands of unsuspecting customers simply trying to fuel up, authorities say.
The indictment names Ranset Rodriguez, 40, of Miami; Yaniris Alfonso, 31, of Miami; Jose Manuel Iglesias, 51, of West New York, New Jersey; Juan Carlos Banos, 58, of Parma, Ohio; Carlos Rodriguez Martinez, 42, of Aurora, Colorado; Lester Enrique Castaneda, 39, of Hialeah, Florida; Edelberto Hernandez, 46, of Kiowa, Colorado; Eddy Pimentel-Vila, 45, of Jersey City, New Jersey; Luis Enrique Jimenez Gonzales, 27, of Hialeah, Florida; Yonasky Rosa, 34, of Tampa; Yadian Quesada-Hernandez, 31, of Tampa and Alejandro Moises, 52, of Miami. They are all charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and related offenses in a 26-count indictment.
Investigators say the group traveled from Florida, systematically installing credit card skimmers – devices designed to capture data from the magnetic stripe of credit and debit cards – inside gas pump point-of-sale terminals. They specifically targeted locations in Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Utah, and elsewhere. The crew allegedly worked in concert, distracting gas station employees or blocking their view while covertly installing the devices. Skimmers were discovered in multiple Northeast Ohio locations, including Rocky River, Solon, Stow, Hudson, Fairview Park, Medina, Cleveland, Canton, Cuyahoga Falls, Norton, and Austintown.
Once the stolen credit/debit card account information, including the account holders’ names, was obtained, the defendants re-encoded it onto counterfeit credit cards. These fraudulent cards were then used to purchase gift cards, merchandise, goods, and services throughout Ohio and beyond. “This group stole credit card information from thousands of people all over Northeast Ohio just looking to fill up their gas tanks,” stated U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “Instead, these victims had their personal information taken and used to make fraudulent credit cards, which this group in turn used to steal merchandise.”
Federal agents described the operation as “sophisticated” and “multistate.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony emphasized the impact on everyday citizens, saying, “These individuals…caused financial difficulties for numerous everyday citizens, and for this, they will be held accountable.” Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Schuck highlighted the collaborative effort of multiple law enforcement agencies. The investigation was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, and the Boulder County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Robert W. Kern are prosecuting the case. While an indictment represents a serious step, it is crucial to remember that it is not proof of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, where the government bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The potential sentences will be determined by the court, taking into account each defendant’s criminal history, role in the offense, and the specifics of the crime. The statutory maximum sentence has not been specified.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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