Las Vegas, Nev. - A man who allegedly told victims that his family built and owned the Meadows Mall in Las Vegas, has been charged with using the names, social security numbers, and financial account information of others to commit bank fraud announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

ROBIN FREDERICK WILLS, aka Robert Derek Hanson, aka Larry Dean Meadows, age 42, of Los Angeles, California, was indicted today by the Federal Grand Jury in Las Vegas and charged with Identity Theft, Aggravated Identity Theft, Use and Possession of Unauthorized Access Devices (credit cards, debit cards), Use of Access Devices Issued to Another Person, Possession of a Scanning Receiver, Possession of Stolen Mail, Use of a Social Security Number Assigned to Another Person, and Aiding and Abetting.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison on each of the Identity Theft, Use of Access Devices Issued to Another Person, and Possession of a Scanning Receiver charges; up to 10 years in prison on the Use and Possession of Unauthorized Access Device charges; and up to five years in prison on the Possession of Stolen Mail and Use of a Social Security Number Assigned to Another Person charges. Additionally, a fine of up to $250,000 could be imposed on each count.

The court records allege that from about October 10, 2002, until about November 2004, WILLS committed identity theft in Nevada for the purpose of committing bank fraud. In November 2004, a businessman contacted the FBI in Las Vegas to report that he had been the victim of an identity theft scheme. WILLS, posing as Larry Meadows, allegedly befriended and gained the trust of the business owner by telling him that his family owned the Meadows Mall in Las Vegas, and that he had formerly managed a major credit bureau and had created many web sites and sophisticated software programs for well-known companies. WILLS promised to improve the business owner's business by assisting with the creation of a web site, the acquisition of computer equipment, and improving the business' credit standing. WILLS allegedly never delivered on any of his promises. Sometime in September 2004, the businessman discovered that WILLS had accessed his office without his permission; had added his name to credit cards; had made large unauthorized charges and withdrawals on his personal and business credit cards; and had accessed his online bank accounts. It was also discovered that WILLS had allegedly stolen mail from the business, and used it to obtain checks and credit and debit cards, and the identifying information of others.

A search of WILLS' hotel rooms, automobiles, and girlfriend's home led to the recovery of hundreds of items of stolen mail, approximately 59 unauthorized credit or debit cards, five fraudulent driver's licenses, multiple spiral notebooks with hundreds of names of individuals with identifying information, birth and death certificates and a passport application in the name of Meadows, and various electronic equipment, including a scanning receiver.

WILLS was arrested in Las Vegas on December 14, 2004, and held on state charges. Federal charges, via Criminal Complaint, were originally filed against him on December 20, 2004. He is currently in federal custody in Las Vegas.

In addition to Robert Hanson and Larry Dean Meadows, WILLS has allegedly used the aliases Keith Michael Gleba, Sean Fontaine, Robert James Trauger, David Ownby, Herbert Martin, Robert Derek Erickson, Jon Lance Miller, and Mark James Waler. If you believe you may have been the victim of a similar act by this individual, please contact FBI Special Agent Greg Rice at (702) 385-1281.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents with the FBI, Las Vegas Field Office, and Detectives with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Pugh.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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