FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

October 27, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

GAITHERSBURG MAN SENTENCED TO 39 MONTHS FOR POSSESSION OF UNAUTHORIZED CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT

Used Stolen Identification Information of Over 100 Individuals

GREENBELT, Maryland - Fabien R. Allou, age 24, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was sentenced today to 39 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices and using another’s identity without authority to commit bank fraud, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. In addition, Judge Peter J. Messitte imposed restitution in the amount of $39,379.08.

According to the statement of facts presented to the court on August 22, 2006 at his guilty plea, Montgomery County police officers arrested Allou on November 22, 2005 and recovered a piece of paper containing 18 names, credit card numbers and addresses. Officers searched Allou’s residence the next day and recovered receipts and documents containing approximately 92 names, credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Subsequent investigation revealed that during 2005, Allou used several access devices to purchase items or obtain cash without the owners’ knowledge, obtaining approximately $39,000 in goods or cash.

In addition, the evidence established during the plea hearing that on August 25, 2005, Allou, pretending to be someone else, entered the Bank of America at Midpike Plaza in Rockville. He used a California driver’s license in the name of the victim and a counterfeit social security card containing the victim’s true social security number in an attempt to transfer or withdraw approximately $21,000 from more than one of the victim’s accounts. When challenged by bank personnel, Allou left the bank, but succeeded in obtaining approximately $800 from the victim’s account using the ATM machine located outside.

Because Allou was in the United States unlawfully and has been convicted of an aggravated felony, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will initiate deportation proceedings against Allou.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Montgomery County Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their investigative work in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Gina Simms, who prosecuted the case.

This page last modified—October 27, 2006