Johnstown Woman Admits Possessing Equipment to Produce Counterfeit Credit Cards, Gift Cards and Checks

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A Cambria County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of device-making equipment , United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Kristina Joanna Barney, 33, of Johnstown, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on Oct. 22, 2010, Barney, along with a co-defendant, possessed counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, which included approximately 132 counterfeited identification cards, 73 counterfeited checks, 55 unauthorized gift cards, and 18 counterfeited credit cards. In addition to possessing these counterfeit or unauthorized access devises, Barney and a co-defendant also possessed device-making equipment, specifically Check Designer, Print Shop 2.0, check stock paper, and tools to modify checks and credit cards. Their possession of this equipment was designed primarily to produce counterfeit checks and credit cards.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2015, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, for Barney. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service and the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Barney.