05-24-06 -- Acevedo, Pedro -- Guilty Plea -- News Release
Gas Station Attendant at a New Jersey Turnpike Rest Stop Admits Fraudulently Obtaining Patrons' Credit Card Account Numbers
CAMDEN – A gas station attendant working at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike pleaded guilty today to a charge of access device fraud, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.
Pedro Acevedo, 23, of Penns Grove, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to a one-count Information. Judge Kugler released the defendant pending sentencing on a $25,000 unsecured bond. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 30 at 9:30 a.m.
At his plea hearing, Acevedo admitted that between Sept. 26, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2005, he possessed a skimmer, which is a device designed and primarily used for making an access device or a counterfeit access device, such as a credit card. Acevedo used the skimmer to obtain credit card numbers from patrons at a Sunoco service station located at the Clara Barton Service Area, he admitted. Acevedo admitted he then provided the credit card numbers to an individual in New York City. Acevedo admitted he possessed and used the skimmer with the intent to defraud.
According to Acevedo’s plea agreement, the defendant agreed that the total loss to more than 50 victims was approximately $232,981 and he has agreed to make restitution.
Acevedo was originally arrested by the N.J. State Police on March 15, 2006, on state charges in connection with his scheme to commit credit card fraud The case was adopted from the Salem County Prosecutor's Office for federal prosecution. The state charges are likely to be dismissed after Acevedo’s sentencing on the federal charges. The defendant’s plea hearing was his first appearance in federal court.
The charge of possessing device making equipment with intent to defraud carries a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Christie credited Special Agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Slama, in Philadelphia, and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes, Superintendent, with investigation of the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, of the Criminal Division in Camden.
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Defense Attorney: Stephen J. Buividas, Esq. Cherry Hill