PITTSBURGH, PA – A brazen identity theft and fraud scheme targeting unsuspecting victims has landed 21-year-old U-Majesty Williams in federal court. Williams, a Pittsburgh resident, admitted guilt to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on Wednesday, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady.
The operation involved a network of criminals who pilfered personal identification information from various individuals. Williams and his co-conspirators allegedly used this stolen data – names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers – to construct counterfeit credit cards and fake Ohio driver’s licenses. The fraudulent documents were then deployed to rent vehicles, open new lines of credit, and rack up purchases, all without the knowledge or consent of the rightful owners.
The scheme reached a peak at Kay’s Jewelers in Ross Park Mall. Williams, alongside an accomplice, successfully applied for credit in the name of one victim, utilizing the stolen personal data and a meticulously crafted counterfeit Ohio driver’s license bearing the victim’s name but displaying Williams’ own photograph. This allowed them to walk away with over $7,000 worth of jewelry, a clear illustration of the financial damage inflicted upon the victims.
Federal investigators, led by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, painstakingly pieced together the operation, collaborating with police departments across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Departments from Columbus, Canfield, Bucks County, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Ross Township, and Wilkins Township all contributed to the investigation that ultimately led to Williams’s guilty plea. This multi-jurisdictional effort highlights the widespread nature of the fraud.
U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab has scheduled Williams’ sentencing for October 11, 2018. He faces a potential prison sentence of no less than two years and up to 22 years, alongside a hefty fine of $500,000. The final sentence will be determined based on the severity of the crimes and Williams’ prior criminal history, if any.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting the case. The case serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of identity theft and the relentless efforts of federal agencies to dismantle these criminal enterprises and bring perpetrators like U-Majesty Williams to justice. The full extent of the conspiracy and the number of victims involved remain under investigation.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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