SIX DEFENDANTS PLEAD GUILTY AS PART OF “FELONY LANE GANG” PRESENCE IN RICHMOND

(Richmond, VA) - Six individuals have entered guilty pleas in connection with a bank fraud and identity theft ring that began in Florida and includes victims in Virginia, Maryland and Florida. Each of the defendants pled guilty to a Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft. The conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million dollars. Aggravated Identity Theft carries a mandatory term of two years of imprisonment, which must run consecutive to time received on the conspiracy charge, as well as a fine of up to $250,000.00. Sentencings for the defendants will occur in January and February of 2008 before United States District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced the pleas.

Those who have entered guilty pleas are:

• GIVSEPPE ALONZO HUDSON, age 24, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• UWEVON SHAWN DOCTOR, age 25, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• TUWAH GRANT, age 25, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• CAMERON STRIGGLES, age 25, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• MELVIN MOSLEY, age 25, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• TRACY L. HAYS, age 34, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In September 2007, the defendants were charged in a Superseding Indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and multiple counts of Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft. The indictment alleged a conspiracy that began in September 2006, and continued until May 2007. The scheme, which the defendants referred as the “Felony Lane Gang,” (“FLG”), originated in Florida. As part of their respective plea agreements, the defendants admitted to their involvement in FLG’s scheme to steal identification documents, credit cards, and checks books from female victims and negotiate the stolen checks at bank drive-through lanes. While the stolen checks were being negotiated, a member of the conspiracy would drive a rented “blocking vehicle” through the lane closest to the teller. The occupants of this vehicle would engage in a dialogue with the bank teller to distract the teller’s attention from the fraudulent transaction being conducted in the farthest lane by a female FLG member. The female FLG member typically wore a wig to match the hair color of the photo on the stolen identification being used in the transaction.

The case is being investigated by law enforcement officers from the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Chesterfield Police Department and the Henrico County Division of Police as members of the Metro-Richmond Identity Theft Task Force. In addition, members of the Ashland Police Department are participating in the joint investigation. Other member agencies of the Task Force include: the United States Secret Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State. Federal prosecutions for the Task Force are handled by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information on the Task Force, including assistance for victims of identity theft, visit: www.richmondIDtheft.com.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Colombell Marshall and Special Assistant United States Attorney David W. Tooker.

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