Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty in Aggravated Identity Theft Scheme

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

U-Majesty Williams, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Williams participated in a conspiracy to violate various federal identity theft laws. In summary, conspirators obtained the personal identification information a various individual victims, and members of the conspiracy, including Williams, used that information, along with counterfeit credit cards and counterfeit Ohio drivers’ licenses, to rent vehicles, to apply for credit, and to make purchases, all without the authorization of those victims. Specifically, Williams and a conspirator applied for credit in a victim’s name at a Kay’s Jewelers in Ross Park Mall, using that victim’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with a counterfeit Ohio driver license in the victim’s name but with Williams’ picture. With the credit, Williams and a conspirator obtained more than $7,000 in jewelry.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for October 11, 2018. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than two years and not more than 22 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, 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 Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with the multiple police departments in Pennsylvania and Ohio, including police departments from Columbus, Ohio, Canfield, Ohio, Bucks County, Ohio, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ross Township, Pennsylvania, and Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of U-Majesty Williams.