Roger Solorzano, a 33-year-old man from Venezuela, has been caught up in a skimming scheme in Mississippi. He and his accomplice, Jonas Francisco, placed skimmers and cameras on Automated Teller Machines at banks in Brandon, Pearl, and Flowood in June 2018.
The duo was found to be in possession of various items, including glue, skimming devices, ATM false fronts, a soldering iron, double-sided tape, and other electronic devices. This is a clear indication of their attempts to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting bank customers.
Solorzano and Francisco were indicted by a federal grand jury on August 7, 2018. Francisco had already pled guilty to possession of device making equipment on September 21, 2018, and was sentenced on December 21, 2018.
The case against Solorzano is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Solorzano will be sentenced by Judge Carlton Reeves on April 10, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.
The U.S. Secret Service, along with local law enforcement agencies in Brandon, Pearl, and Flowood, was instrumental in the investigation that led to the indictment and subsequent guilty plea of Solorzano.
It is crucial for citizens to be vigilant when using ATMs, especially in areas where such skimming devices have been detected. Regularly checking for any signs of tampering can help prevent financial losses.
Solorzano’s guilty plea serves as a warning to those who engage in similar activities. The severity of the sentence he faces should deter others from attempting to compromise the security of financial institutions and their customers.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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