Tobey Hines, Wire Fraud, Iowa 2023

Dubuque Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Nationwide Scam Targeting Elderly Victims

A Dubuque man has been convicted of participating in a scheme to defraud victims across the United States, with a primary target being the elderly population. Tobey Hines, 33, from Dubuque, Iowa, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

At the plea hearing, Hines admitted to participating in a scheme in which individuals called victims on the phone, claiming a relative was in jail and needed money to be released. The victims were then asked to wire money via Western Union or Money Gram, which was picked up by various participants in the fraud, including Hines in the Dubuque area.

Hines could face a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. Sentencing will be set after a presentence report is prepared. He remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.

This is not the first time individuals have been charged in connection with this scheme. Four other people have previously pleaded guilty to their role in the scam. Shawn Vaassen, Carlos Rodriguez, Michael Marcov, and Stephanie Marcov each pleaded guilty to wire fraud and admitted to picking up wire transfers sent by victims in the Dubuque area.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Vavricek and Anthony Morfitt, and were investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Investigations and the Dubuque Police Department.

Tobey Hines, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court in Cedar Rapids. He faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. Sentencing will be set after a presentence report is prepared. He remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/dubuque-man-pleads-guilty-participating-fraud-targeted-elderly-victims-throughout