Press Release
Arkansas Man Admits to Identity Theft and Fraud
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri
St. Louis, MO – Ricky McDonald, 36, of West Fort, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to access device fraud today in U.S. District Court. McDonald appeared before Judge John A. Ross who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for February 12, 2019. McDonald remains in federal custody pending sentencing.
In his plea, McDonald admitted to possessing personal identifiers for more than 700 individuals and more than 70 counterfeit bank card, credit cards and personal checks with his co-defendant, Brittany Cook. Cook pleaded guilty to the same charge in September and awaits sentencing in December.
McDonald and Cook were stopped by the St. Louis County Police on July 18, 2018 for a traffic violation and a search of their car revealed a large cache of personal identification information, including victims’ home addresses and social security numbers, as well as counterfeit cards and other equipment used for economic crimes such as check stock, a printer and books and records containing detailed lists of others’ identifiers.
McDonald faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both at sentencing. Restitution to any victims of Defendant’s conduct is also mandatory.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Gwen Carroll is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Updated November 6, 2018
Topic
Financial Fraud
Component