NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Julia C. Dudley United States Attorney Brian McGinn Public Affairs Specialist |
BB&T Building 310 1st Street, S.W., Room 906 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (540) 857-2974 FAX (540) 857-2179 |
May 19, 2009
CUBAN NATIONALS PLED GUILTY FOR USING COUNTERFEIT CREDIT CARDS
United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that Osmiel Vasquez Rodriguez, age 26 and Javier Rodriguez, age 39, both citizens of Cuba residing in the United States in Hialeigh, Florida, pled guilty yesterday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke to being part of a conspiracy to commit credit card fraud and uttering.
Osmiel Rodriguez was indicted in March 2009 and charged with one count of conspiracy, four counts of uttering, one count of trafficking in false identity documents and one count of access device fraud. Javier Rodriguez was charged with one count of conspiracy, four counts of uttering, one count of trafficking false identity documents and one count of access device fraud.
According to the indictment, the defendants used counterfeit credit cards to make purchases of merchandise and gift cards at Walmart stores in various locations in the Western District of Virginia. Specifically, the defendants made multiple purchases from the Walmart store in Christiansburg, Virginia.
Both defendants were apprehended while in the process of making fraudulent purchases at the Christiansburg Walmart. At that time, Osmiel Rodriguez was found to be in possession of 11 counterfeit credit cards and a fake driver’s license from the state of Pennsylvania. Javier Rodriguez was in possession of three counterfeit credit cards.
Osmiel Rodriguez and Javier Rodriguez both pled guilty to one count of conspiracy and two counts of uttering. At sentencing each defendant faces a maximum penalty of twenty-five years in prison and/or a fine up to $750,000. Their sentencing is scheduled for August 6, 2009.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day is prosecuting the case for the United States.