TAMPA, FL – Yonasky Fernandez Rosa, 40, of Tampa, is headed back to federal prison after being sentenced to more than five years for a brazen scheme involving stolen identities and fraudulent purchases. U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington handed down a 4-year, 3-month sentence for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, with an additional consecutive 10-month sentence tacked on for violating the terms of his supervised release from a prior fraud conviction in Ohio.
The case, rooted in a pattern of recidivism, revealed that Rosa didn’t just stumble into crime. He was initially convicted of similar charges in Cleveland, Ohio in 2018, serving 22 months before being released under supervision. Instead of turning his life around, Rosa doubled down, continuing his identity theft operation while on supervised release in the Middle District of Florida. The scheme came to light on April 6, 2021, when Rosa used a stolen identity to purchase gas at a Circle-K in Plant City, leaving the victim – who had no knowledge of the transaction – to report the unauthorized charge.
A subsequent search of Rosa’s Tampa residence in the Town N’ Country neighborhood on June 2, 2021, uncovered a full-blown identity theft workshop. Law enforcement discovered device-making equipment, including magnetic stripe encoders and skimmers, alongside hundreds of instances of stolen Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Rosa’s laptop contained a treasure trove of compromised data: credit card numbers, cardholder names, and PINs, all ripe for exploitation. The sheer volume of stolen data suggests a widespread operation targeting countless victims.
“The Secret Service is proud to partner with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement,” stated Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel of the U.S. Secret Service – Tampa Field Office. “The results of this investigation are a testament to strong partnerships across the law enforcement community. The Secret Service remains committed to investigating those who engage in crimes that exploit our financial system.”
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister echoed the sentiment, stating, “I am beyond proud and thankful for the partnership we have with the United States Secret Service… There is no doubt that our shared dedication to protecting residents put a stop to Rosa’s inexcusable actions. Thankfully, he will no longer be able to victimize members of our community.” Colonel Lee Adams, Director of FDACS’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, added that the partnership helped prevent further harm to consumers.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Secret Service, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee prosecuted the case. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder that exploiting the financial system carries severe consequences, and law enforcement agencies are increasingly coordinated in their efforts to bring these criminals to justice.”
Related Federal Cases
- Manuel Enrique Santana, Tax Refund Theft, FL 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Haizhou Hu, Trade Secret Theft, VA 2024 · West Virginia
- Krishna Jade Janosky, Grand Theft Auto, Florida 2024 · North Carolina
- James Lee Cobb, III, Stolen Identity Refund, Florida 2015 · Texas
- Live Nation, Antitrust Lawsuit, New York NY, 2024 · Oregon
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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