Hector Galvan, Jr., Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Being A Convicted Felon In Possession Of Firearms, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, And Aggravated Identity Theft

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - On May 22, 2014, Hector Galvan, Jr., 34, of Jonesborough, Tenn., was sentenced by the Honorable Pamela L. Reeves, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, to serve 60 months in prison. Galvan pleaded guilty in April 2013 to a federal indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.

Galvan, his wife, and sister-in law conspired in a scheme to negotiate counterfeit checks at retailers in Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Texas, resulting in losses in excess of $1 million. The conspirators were able to steal the identities of people who had indicated on social media that they “liked” certain retailers. The trio posed as the persons whose identities they stole to negotiate counterfeit checks to purchase electronics and other merchandise which they re-sold on an internet auction website, and prepaid credit cards.

During the execution of a federal search warrant at his home, Galvan, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of 11 firearms, including a stolen 9 mm pistol, which led to the firearms charges in the indictment.

The indictment and subsequent conviction of Galvan was the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Secret Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Morris represented the United States.