Venezuelan Pleads Guilty to Possessing Device Making Equipment

Jackson, Miss. – Roger Solorzano, 33, a legal permanent resident and native of Venezuela, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves to one count of possession of device making equipment, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and U.S. Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Shawn Wolfe.

In June 2018, Solorzano and Jonas Francisco placed skimmers and cameras on Automated Teller Machines at banks in Brandon, Pearl, and Flowood, Mississippi. Solorzano and Francisco were found to be in possession of glue, skimming devices, ATM false fronts, a soldering iron, double sided tape, and other electronic devices.

Solorzano and Francisco were indicted by a federal grand jury on August 7, 2018. Francisco pled guilty on September 21, 2018, to possession of device making equipment, and was sentenced on December 21, 2018.

Solorzano will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on April 10, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Brandon Police Department, Pearl Police Department, and Flowood Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie.