Grandville Man, Gary Alan Hoekstra, Sentenced For Wire Fraud

          KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced today that Gary Alan Hoekstra of Grandville, Michigan was sentenced to one year and one day confinement by U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff for wire fraud. Hoekstra pleaded guilty to the charge in November of 2015.

          Between January 2010 and October 2012, Hoekstra opened at least ten credit card accounts in the name of three victims by entering their personal identifying information into online credit applications using a computer in his home. Accounts were approved with Credit One Bank, Discover Financial, Bank of America, Chase Bank, Citibank, and American Express, and Hoekstra ran up balances on each of these accounts to total $49,439.00 so that he could obtain money, services, and other things of value. The fraud was discovered when one of the victims began receiving unpaid balance calls from the banks.

          In addition to the one year and one day sentence of confinement, Judge Neff imposed a restitution order to compensate the victims for their losses, three years of supervised release to follow Mr. Hoekstra’s release from prison, and a special assessment of $100.

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan was assisted in the investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

          U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles cautioned those who would use identity theft to defraud individuals and financial institutions. "Identity theft is a continuing challenge and a crime that worries almost everyone. I hope word gets out that perpetrators are being caught and sent to jail."

          Assistant Inspector in Charge Cynthia Mormon, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, further stated, "Mr. Hoekstra took financial advantage of three individuals in his community. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will pursue those who use the Postal Service to victimize and steal the identities of others for personal gain."

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay M. West.

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