Michagan Man Sentenced For Role In Access Device Fraud

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Deantuan Wiley, 26, of Southfield, MI., who was convicted of possessing more than 15 counterfeit access devices with intent to defraud, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.  In addition, Judge Arcara ordered the defendant to make restitution to several victim banks totaling $6,406.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Rogowski, who handled the case, stated that Wiley and three companions were found to be in possession of 110 counterfeit access devices when the defendants were subjected to a customs inspection at the Lewiston Bridge on July 3, 2013. The fraudulent devices included Visa and MasterCard credit cards and gift cards that were purchased with counterfeit credit cards. The defendant, along with co-defendants George Brown, Rodney Gilliam, and Raina Johnson, used several counterfeit access devices to make, and attempt to make, purchases of gift cards and merchandise in several stores in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New York.  After finding the counterfeit access devices in the car driven by Wiley, Department of Homeland Security agents obtained store security films which captured all four defendants making numerous purchases with counterfeit access devices.

Brown and Gilliam have also been convicted. Charges are pending against Johnson. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by of Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge J. Michael Kennedy.