Four Miami-Area Residents Indicted for Conspiracy, Bank Fraud, Access-Device Fraud and Identity Theft
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted four Miami-area residents for conspiracy, bank fraud, access-device fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Keith Morris announced.
An indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges AMY MAE LUONGO, 32, AZELL TYWON CANTY, 28, TEMORRIS JAQUA CAMPBELL, 29, and JOEL JONES, 26, with conspiracy to defraud Regions Bank, BBVA/Compass Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank between March and June 2012. The indictment further charges Luongo with defrauding and attempting to defraud Regions Bank, and with aggravated identity theft. It also charges Canty, Campbell and Jones with possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.
“The indictment of these defendants reduces the threat to Alabama residents from a multi-state fraud conspiracy,” Vance said. “Local law enforcement, including the Vestavia Hills Police Department, worked with U.S. postal inspectors and the U.S. Secret Service to stop these fraud-ring members. This type of cooperative work enhances our ability to put an end to this kind of fraud.”
All four defendants face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Luongo also could face 30 years’ imprisonment and a $1 million fine if convicted of bank fraud. Canty, Campbell and Jones each face a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the access-device charge. Each defendant would face two-years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of aggravated identity theft.
The Vestavia Hills, Hoover and Mountain Brook police departments, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Regions Bank corporate investigators, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, with assistance from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa K. Atwood is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
