PITTSBURGH, PA – A pair of New York City hustlers are facing federal time after admitting to a brazen scheme to fleece Giant Eagle stores across Western Pennsylvania with counterfeit credit cards. William O. Candelaria, 29, and his brother, Christopher T. Candelaria, 25, both of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
The Candelaria brothers, along with unnamed accomplices, weren’t after groceries. According to court documents, the duo targeted multiple Giant Eagle locations in June 2016, racking up approximately $91,000 in fraudulent purchases. Their haul? Gift cards and merchandise obtained using illegally obtained and manufactured credit card numbers. The scheme involved a coordinated effort to exploit vulnerabilities in the retail chain’s payment systems.
This wasn’t a smash-and-grab; it was a calculated operation. Investigators from the Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF) painstakingly pieced together the evidence, linking the brothers to the fraudulent transactions. The WPFCTF is a multi-agency collaboration designed to tackle financial crimes, and this case highlights their effectiveness. Partnering agencies include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Secret Service, Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and multiple local police departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory C. Melucci successfully prosecuted the case, securing the guilty pleas. Both William and Christopher Candelaria now await sentencing, scheduled for July 18, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. respectively. While the maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the actual sentence will be determined by Judge Fischer based on the severity of the crime and any prior criminal history.
The WPFCTF’s work underscores the persistent threat of credit card fraud and the importance of interagency cooperation in combating these crimes. While the Candelaria brothers thought they could profit from exploiting a major retailer, they underestimated the combined resources of federal and local law enforcement. This bust sends a clear message: financial crimes will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The Secret Service, traditionally known for protecting dignitaries, has increasingly focused on financial crimes in recent years, recognizing the link between these offenses and national security. The agency’s involvement in the WPFCTF demonstrates its commitment to disrupting criminal networks that threaten the financial integrity of the region. The investigation remains open as authorities seek to identify and prosecute any additional individuals involved in the scheme.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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