LOS ANGELES, CA – Trace Jevon Jones, 33, a transient with a taste for the high life, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 48 months for orchestrating a brazen credit card fraud scheme that flooded luxury stores with stolen funds. Dubbed “Million Dollar” by those in the know, Jones and his crew racked up over $521,128 in fraudulent purchases before finally being brought to justice.
The scheme, which ran from at least November 2016 to July 2018, involved obtaining the personal identifying information of American Express cardholders and using it to request replacement cards. These fraudulently obtained cards were then deployed at upscale boutiques like Barneys, Goyard, and Gucci in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Costa Mesa. Jones wasn’t buying groceries; his targets were luxury bags, shoes, jewelry, and other high-end goods.
Federal prosecutors hammered home the severity of Jones’s actions during sentencing, arguing this wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment. “This was not a one-time event or an isolated lapse of judgment,” they wrote in a sentencing memorandum. “[Jones] participated in this scheme at least as early as November 2016, and then coordinated numerous purchases with five coconspirators between May and July 2018, many of whom he recruited.” The impact on victims, even if ultimately reimbursed by American Express, was significant.
Jones pleaded guilty in September 2020 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He isn’t the only one facing consequences. Terry Ellis Jr., 40, of Chino, is serving a two-year federal sentence, while Davion Raymone Ellis, 32, of Eastvale, received three years. Cherelle Daire Beal, 31, of Eastvale, and Miranda Clare Hensley, 31, of Las Vegas, received credit for time served and three years of supervised release. Jonathan Randall Ross, 33, of Canoga Park, awaits sentencing.
The investigation, a joint effort by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, underscores the ongoing threat of identity theft and financial fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler, Matthew J. Rosenbaum, Jeremiah Levine, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Adams of the Santa Ana Branch Office prosecuted the case. The government also ordered Jones to pay $521,128 in restitution to American Express.
While Jones enjoyed a brief run of lavish spending, his “Million Dollar” lifestyle has been replaced by a federal prison cell. This case serves as a stark warning: exploiting stolen identities for personal gain will land you behind bars, and the feds are watching.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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