Black Market Travel Agents
UPDATE: Most Recent Press Release
U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips announced a series of indictments in a nationwide,
multi-million dollar fraud scheme on July 9, 2010.
Thirty-eight defendants indicted in multi-million dollar fraud;
Local investigation exposes nationwide network that used stolen identities, credit cards to purchase airline tickets
KANSAS CITY - Thirty-eight defendants from across the United States have been charged in a series of indictments that allege an extensive network of black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. “What began as a local law enforcement investigation ultimately exposed an extensive nationwide black market for airline tickets,” U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips said. “Six federal indictments allege that 38 defendants used stolen credit and debit card information from thousands of identity theft victims to purchase tickets, which they sold to their customers at a steep discount,” Phillips added. “These separate criminal conspiracies resulted in an estimated total loss of more than $20 million to numerous domestic airline companies, financial institutions, other merchants and cardholders.”
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List of indictments & defendants
Beecham, et al Indictment
Burks, et al Indictment
Clay Indictment
Harrison, et al Indictment
Palmer, et al Indictment
Pryor, et al Indictment
Three men plead guilty to multi-million-dollar fraud
Conspirators used stolen identities, credit cards to purchase airline tickets
KANSAS CITY - Three defendants have pleaded guilty to their roles in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. Sean Fleming, also known as”David Bravo” or “Pucci,” 29, of Hialeah, Fla., and Kareem Nelson, 31, of Atlanta, Ga., pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy in separate appearances today before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan. Alexander Lewis, also known as “Mike Gotti,” 25, of McDonough, Ga., pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, to the same conspiracy charge contained in a May 5, 2010, federal indictment.
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Two men plead guilty to multi-million dollar fraud;
Conspirators used stolen identities, credit cards to purchase airline tickets
KANSAS CITY - Two defendants pleaded guilty, in separate but related cases, to their roles in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. Ricardo Clay, 30, and Romeyo Calavarey, also known as “Malawtic Surreal,” 25, both of Atlanta, Ga., pleaded guilty in separate appearances before Chief U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr.
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New York man pleads guilty to multi-million dollar fraud;
Conspirators used stolen identities, credit cards to purchase airline tickets
KANSAS CITY - A New York, N.Y., man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. Termain Brice, 31, of New York, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
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Three more defendants plead guilty to multi-million dollar fraud;
Conspirators used stolen identities, credit cards to purchase airline tickets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that three more defendants pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers.
Waiki Pryor, 30, of Richmond, Calif., Norman Johnson, 36, of Inglewood, Calif., and Edwon Simmons, 34, of Chicago, Ill., pleaded guilty in separate appearances before Chief U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. In addition to the conspiracy, Pryor and Simmons pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Simmons also pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal law enforcement agents by instructing one of his customers to lie to the agents in an effort to conceal the conspiracy.
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Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, Credit Cards to Purchase Airline Tickets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Brooklyn, New York, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. Steven James Palmer, also known as “Haze,” 30, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. In addition to the conspiracy, Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft.
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KC, Peculiar Woman Indicted on Additional Charges
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sabrina Bowers, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., and Deidre Turner, 28, of Peculiar, Mo., were charged in a superseding indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on July 12, 2011.
Grand Jury Indictment
Two Illinois Men Plead Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, CreditCards to Purchase Airline Tickets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Illinois men pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. Marcus Grisby, 35, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Tyrone Ross, 33, of Chicago, Ill., each pleaded guilty in separate appearances before Chief U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. In addition to the conspiracy, Grisby and Ross each pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Ross also pleaded guilty to credit card fraud.
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Jury Convicts California Woman of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, CreditCards to Purchase Airline Tickets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A North Hollywood, Calif., woman was convicted by a federal jury today of her role as a customer in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. Monique Calhoun, 24, of North Hollywood, was found guilty of conspiracy and of making false statements to a federal agent.
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Terrence L. Clemens (Los Angeles, CA) Sentenced to Time Served (appr. 9 Months), $1,000 Fine
Florida Man Sentenced for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, CreditCards to Purchase Airline Tickets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Hialeah, Fla., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy among black market travel agents who used the stolen identities of thousands of victims as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme to purchase airline tickets for their customers. Sean Fleming, also known as “Pucci,” 30, of Hialeah, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan to 22 months in federal prison without parole.
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March 19, 2012
Four Illinois Men Sentenced in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, Credit Cards to Purchase Airline Tickets
March 30, 2012
Former KC Woman Sentenced in Multi-million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, Credit Cards to Purchase Airline Tickets
May 4, 2012
California Man Sentenced for Multi-million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, Credit Cards to Purchase Airline Tickets
May 30, 2012
Chicago, Los Angeles Men Sentenced in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, Credit Cards to Purchase Airline Tickets
Brooklyn Man Sentenced for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud;
Conspirators Used Stolen Identities, Credit Cards to Purchase Airline Tickets
Tammy Dickinson
United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri is pleased to bring you
The Briefing Room
The Briefing Room highlights the work of U.S. Attorneys' offices across the country.
Priority In Focus:
Cyber Crime
