Richardson, Texas Man Sentenced To 24 Months For Aggravated Identity Theft

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Raudy Acosta Fernandez, age 32, of Richardson, Texas, was sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment and 1 year supervised release for Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). The charge arose from an investigation by the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the United States Secret Service.

The Superseding Indictment alleges that on or about March 21, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant knowingly possessed, and used, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person during and in relation to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The conspiracy involved the use of credit card “skimming devices” placed on gas pumps by members of the conspiracy to steal credit card information, create credit cards with the information and then use those cards to receive cash at ATM’s. 

“The use of skimming devices to steal credit card information is not a new trend, but the devices used today are more difficult to detect. There are precautions we should all take to protect our credit and bank card information from thieves using skimming devices. For example, before using a gas pump, make sure the panel is closed and doesn’t show signs of tampering. Many pumps now have a security seal. If the seal is broken, don’t use that pump,” United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said.  “Awareness that thieves are using this technology and exercising caution before using your credit card at the pump or at ATM’s are important to help us avoid being victims of this type of criminal scheme.” 

“This investigation is a prime example of the Secret Service’s investigative mission; to protect the U.S. financial infrastructure by pursuing counterfeit and financial crimes investigations,” said Glenn Dennis, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Oklahoma Field Office. “The Secret Service in alliance with State and Local law enforcement is dedicated to effectively identifying those victimizing our communities and bringing them to justice.”
                                
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson represented the United States.