UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: STACY CRANE
	TUESDAY, JULY 28 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

TWO CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT WITH AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT AND CREDIT CARD FRAUD

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Joyce White Vance of the Northern District of Alabama and Special Agent in Charge Roy D. Sexton, United States Secret Service, announced today that SHARLIE FELECIA HYDE and TIFFANY MICHELLE HOWARD have been indicted by a federal grand jury for aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud.
           
            Hyde, 24, of Irondale, Alabama, and Howard, 25, of Birmingham, Alabama were charged in a three-count indictment filed today in the United States District Court in Birmingham.
           
            Count One charges credit card fraud.  Between June 27, 2005 and August 11, 2005, Hyde and Howard aided and abetted each other in changing the credit card account information of a Capital One Credit Card Company account holder.  Hyde and Howard then used the account number and information to obtain monies, merchandise and services, as specified in Count 2, aggravated identity theft.

            The maximum sentence for count one is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.  Count Two carries a sentence of not less than 2 years imprisonment to be run consecutively to Count One, and a $250,000 fine.  Count Three specifies a forfeiture amount of $95,744.03.
           
            Special Agents of the U.S. Secret Service investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Carney is prosecuting the case.
           
            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
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