Two New York Men Charged With Aggravated Identity Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announces the June 28, 2019 return of an indictment charging two New York men with aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

The indictment charges TERRENCE NEALY, age 31, of Rockville Center, New York, and MYLES NICHOLAS, age 32, of Jamaica, New York.  The defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000.00 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.  They are also charged with aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison consecutive to any other sentence, a maximum $250,000.00 fine, and up to one year of supervised release.

According to court documents, members of the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force received information that NEALY and NICHOLAS would be flying to New Orleans from New York on the morning of June 21, 2019.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies and U.S. Secret Service agents initiated surveillance at New Orleans International Airport, where they observed NEALY and NICHOLAS rent a car and immediately travel to Baton Rouge.  While in Baton Rouge, the defendants traveled to two local Best Buy stores and attempted to open a fraudulent Best Buy credit card, which is issued by Citibank, using a stolen identity.  They then traveled back to New Orleans where they were arrested by state and federal law enforcement.

U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the agencies that contributed to this indictment, which represents a coordinated effort of federal and state law enforcement authorities within the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force.  The Task Force includes representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Matthew R. Payne is in charge of the prosecution.