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Terrance Carter, Identity Theft Conspiracy, Toledo OH, 2019
TOLEDO, OH – A trio of Toledo residents are facing federal charges after a multi-year identity theft and fraud conspiracy that saw them pilfering personal information to fund a lavish lifestyle. Terrance Carter, 25; Carrie Gibson, 30; and Angelina Carter, 24, are accused of systematically stealing mail and using the information contained within to make unauthorized purchases.
The indictment details a scheme that ran from 2015 to 2017, where the defendants allegedly snatched mail from both residential mailboxes and vehicles, mining the contents for Social Security numbers, driver’s license details, and, crucially, credit card information. This stolen data wasn’t just held – it was weaponized. They compiled detailed lists of victims, complete with addresses, dates of birth, and banking information, turning individuals’ lives upside down for their own gain.
The scope of their alleged fraud is striking. In January 2016, Terrance Carter allegedly used a victim’s credit account to purchase a gold bar. A year later, in March 2017, the group reportedly hit a Lowe’s on Airport Highway in Toledo with an unauthorized credit card, walking away with $1,225 in merchandise. The spending spree continued the following month when Angelina Carter and Gibson allegedly used a stolen card at a Walmart on West Central Avenue, racking up $285 in purchases.
Federal prosecutors have leveled charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft against all three defendants. If convicted, the sentences will be determined by the Court, taking into account prior criminal records (if any), their individual roles in the conspiracy, and the nature of the violations. However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office notes that any sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and will likely be less.
The investigation, which remains ongoing, was a collaborative effort between the Toledo Police Department, the Sylvania Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jody L. King and Robert N. Melching are handling the prosecution. It’s important to remember, as the U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed, an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of personal information and the lengths to which criminals will go to exploit it. The Northern District of Ohio is clearly taking identity theft seriously, and this indictment signals a continued crackdown on these types of financial crimes. The Secret Service’s involvement underscores the growing connection between traditional fraud and national security concerns.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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