Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Manufacture and Use Counterfeit Credit Cards

PITTSBURGH -- A resident of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of Conspiracy, Using Unauthorized Access Device in Aggregate of $1,000, Possessing Device-making Equipment, and Possessing Fifteen or More Access Devices, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Joel M. Cosey, 26, pleaded guilty to five counts before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Cosey was charged with conspiracy, possessing device-making equipment, possessing fifteen or more access devices, and two counts of using unauthorized access device in aggregate of $1,000 on or about August 9, 2013.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Dec. 23, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cosey.