Federal grand jury indicts multi-state theft ring www.privateofficer.com

 

MOBILE, Alabama Nov 17 2012 – A federal grand jury here has indicted the reputed head of multistate theft ring and nine others accused of using the online auction site eBay to sell stolen electronics, federal prosecutors announced this afternoon.

The indictment is the latest in a long-running investigation based in Mobile that already has netted 10 convictions. Law enforcement officials value the theft ring at some $7 million.

“As of right now, these guys represent the top tier of this case,” said Tommy Loftis, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In addition to the criminal charges, law enforcement officials have seized more than $280,000 from nine bank and stock trading accounts belonging to Jason Christopher Spellen, as well as hundreds of electronic items ranging from laptop computers to stereo equipment to video games and DVD players.

Spellen, of Conyers, Georgia, stands charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, although the actual punishment likely would be less under advisory sentencing guidelines. He also has been charged with conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering.

The other defendants all face RICO charges, as well:

Miguel Lawayne Taylor, of Arizona.

Steven P. Marks, of Atlanta.

Tariq Rashid Sims, of Atlanta.

Corey Timmons, of Atlanta.

Raymond Spellen, of Conyers, Georgia.

Kevin Maurice Demps, of Detroit.

Maurice Allen Haggen, of Detroit.

Raphael Ward, of Detroit.

Andrew Valentino Wilson III, of Atlanta.

The indictment alleges that the enterprise fraudulently purchased PlayStation 3 game consoles, iPods, iPads and other electronics, using counterfeit credit cards and drivers licenses from October 2008 until November 30 of last year. The conspirators also used lines of credit at various stores, according to the allegations.

Members of the enterprise would use eBay and other means to sell the fraudulently obtained items, according to the indictment.

“The sophistication and magnitude of the fraud scheme engaged in this case is startling,” U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown said in a prepared statement. “While technological advances may present new avenues for thieves to procure and sell their stolen goods, law enforcement will continue to use every tool at its disposal to bring law breakers to justice.”

The indictment spells out how law enforcement authorities allege that the criminal enterprise operated:

Jason and Raymond Spellen paid Elizabeth Zamudio, who previously pleaded guilty in Mobile, a percentage of the cost of the electronics. She, in turn, would pay other members of the conspiracy who have admitted to using bogus credit cards to buy the times from stores like Walmart and Target.

Zamudio then paid the balance of the funds to Taylor, according to the indictment. Taylor faces conspiracy and mail fraud charges.

Members of the enterprise committed and attempted to commit burglaries and thefts from stores. Jason Spellen, Marks, Sims and Timmons bought and received the stolen items. Marks, Sims and Timmons each face a charge of conspiracy to sell stolen merchandise.

Jason Spellen, Marks, Sims and others sold the items to customers across the country and in foreign countries. Some of the customers lived in southwest Alabama, which is why the Mobileoffice of the U.S. Secret Service began investigating.

Marks, Sims, Timmons, Raymond Spellen, Demps, Haggen, Ward, Wilson and others provided the stolen and fraudulently obtained electronics items to Jason Spellen, the indictment alleges

In addition to the criminal charges, prosecutors seek a forfeiture order of $7 million, the value of all the electronics goods that the defendants are accused of fraudulently obtaining and then selling online. Prosecutors also have asked for a court order allowing them to keep the $286,267.72 and electronics items seized from Jason Spellen.

Source-al.com

Police arrest seven people from Georgia involved in international fraud ring www.privateofficer.com

 

Naperville  IL Oct 20 2012 Police have arrested seven people from Georgia they say are part of an “international fraud group,” operating out of the western suburbs.

The group members posted fake ads on Craigslist and made more than 50 fraudulent money/wire transfers, according to police.

Investigators this week located a makeshift lab equipped with computers and specialized printers used to make counterfeit identification, police said in a news release. They also found 62 counterfeit identification cards and numerous passports.

Police say the seven people they took into custody are part of a larger crime group operating in eastern Europe. Alicia Y. Jordan, 38, of Clarkston, Ga.; Darrick, L. Jordan, 23, of Decatur, Ga.; Jacqueline C. Gibson, 46, of Decatur, Ga.; Rickey L. Gibson, 43, of Atlanta, Ga; Decopeland S. Harris, 41, of Conley Ga.; Sierra S. Chambers, 25; of Decatur, Ga.; and Shanekie D. Head, 28, of Scottsdale, Ga. have each been charged with identity theft and forgery. They are being held at the DuPage County jail.

Man charged with defrauding Verizon out of $115,000 www.privateofficer.com

SUMMERVILLE, SC Dec 3 2010 – Police arrested a Georgia man accused of conning Verizon Wireless stores out of $115,500 over a three-year period.

John E. Blanton, 32, of Atlanta, Ga., was arrested and charged with forgery Wednesday after police say he used a fake name to register for two phones and phone lines at a Summerville Verizon store.

Security personnel at Verizon’s corporate offices notified the Summerville store and told them Blanton had done the same thing in North Charleston the same day. In all, he managed to defraud the wireless company of $115,517 in three years.

According to the police report, the company had issued an e-mail alert concerning Blanton.

Blanton was captured by police Wednesday evening when they say he tried the same ruse at a Charleston Verizon store. During a search, they found one of the phones from the Summerville store, the report stated.

Summerville police took him to the Berkeley County Detention Center to await a bond hearing.
Source:WCSC

BrandsMart USA employees steal 188 televisions www.privateofficer.com

Atlanta GA June 7 2009

ajc.com
Some customers apparently got more than they paid for when they shopped at the BrandsMart USA in Stockbridge.
Six employees of the store have been arrested for stealing 188 televisions and two computer monitors valued at nearly $100,000, according to police.
The six in custody were arrested for felony theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a felony, according to Capt. Jason Bolton of the Henry County Police Department. More arrests are expected.
An investigation began after the Atlanta region protection manager for BrandsMart USA contacted police on May 11.
“They had noticed missing inventory, and they suspected an internal theft,” Bolton said Friday afternoon.
The theft scheme apparently began on the biggest shopping day of the year — the day after Thanksgiving. The six arrested apparently worked with other non-employees who came to the store as customers, according to police.
Those customers would then make a purchase, such as a small appliance. Then, the customer was instructed to drive to the back of the store with a receipt to pick up the purchase.
“In addition to the microwave, maybe two or three televisions were loaded in,” Bolton said.
Various types of flat screens were stolen, ranging from 32- to 50-inch models. Five of the stolen televisions and the computer monitors have been recovered, he said.
Those arrested include:
• Marice Foster, 22, of Atlanta.
• Jonathan Chambers, 23, of Decatur.
• Roderick Adams, 19, of Morrow.
• Demario Norris, 20, of McDonough.
• Justin Sprueil, 20, of Jonesboro.
• Dantelle Smith, 24, of Stockbridge.

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