Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Conspiracy

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to fraud conspiracy charges in connection with processing fraudulent applications for store credit accounts using stolen identities.

Ricardo Voltaire, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Feb. 28, 2022. Voltaire was charged on Sept. 28, 2021.

Voltaire was a sales manager at Staples locations in Dedham and Braintree. On at least 60 occasions, Voltaire processed fraudulent Staples’ store credit account applications that were submitted by Wagner Sozi and his co-conspirator – each of which contained stolen personal identifying information of another individual. Voltaire knew that his co-conspirators were not in fact the individuals named on the applications and opened store credit accounts under the stolen identities, which were then used to purchase more than $81,000 in Visa gift cards. Voltaire accepted approximately $8,000 in kickbacks from Sozi and his co-conspirator.

In May 2021, Sozi pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of making a false claim. He is pending sentencing which is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2021.

The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. The Braintree Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely II, Chief of Mendell’s Criminal Division, is prosecuting the case.