Storm Lake Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Credit Card Scam

A man who committed multiple frauds in connection with fraudulent credit cards was sentenced February 27, 2015, to more than 4 years in federal prison.

Yoirlan Tome Rojas, 34, from Storm Lake, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 23, 2014, jury verdict finding him guilty of two counts of using a counterfeit access device; one count of possession of fifteen or more counterfeit access devices; one count of money laundering; and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

Evidence at trial showed Rojas manufactured credit cards using stolen data, and utilized those cards to conduct purchases at Walmart and various other places of business in the Storm Lake, Iowa, area.  Rojas would use the manufactured credit cards to purchase gift cards to later use to make “legitimate” purchases.  At least two of the cards Rojas utilized belonged to individuals who reported unauthorized use of their credit cards.

Rojas was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett.  Rojas was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment.  A special assessment of $600 was imposed.  He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Rojas is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Bowers and investigated by the Storm Lake Iowa Police Department and the United States Secret Service. 

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov.  The case file number is 14-4015.

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