FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY - February 20, 2009
NEW YORK MAN INDICTED FOR CREDIT CARD
FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT
RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that a Federal Grand Jury returned an Indictment on February 19, 2009, charging ERSKINE ALFONZA SPRUILL, 46, of Roosevelt, New York, with 14 criminal violations. The Indictment charges SPRUILL with ten counts of Production and Use of Counterfeit Access Devices (credit cards), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(1); one count of Possession of Device Making Equipment, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(4); one count of Possession of 15 Counterfeit Access Devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3); and two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. The Indictment also includes a notice that the Government intends to seek forfeiture in connection with the charged counts.
According to the Indictment, on January 24, 2009, SPRUILL produced and used counterfeit credit cards at the Best Buy and Sam Ash stores on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh. The Indictment also alleges that SPRUILL produced and used counterfeit credit cards at the Travelers Inn on Road Street in Elizabeth City. The Indictment further alleges that on January 25, 2009, SPRUILL used counterfeit credit cards at Ruby Tuesday, Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Circuit City, and CVS Pharmacy, in Raleigh, and that on January 26, 2009, he used a counterfeit credit card at Macy’s on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Counts 12 and 13 of the Indictment allege that SPRUILL used a means of identification belonging to another person in relation to the January 24 and 25 transactions at the Guitar Center.
The maximum penalty for the charges of fraudulent use of a counterfeit access device and possession of 15 or more access devises is up to 10 years imprisonment followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For possession of device-making equipment, SPRUILL faces up to 15 years imprisonment followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For the charge of aggravated identity theft, SPRUILL faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed for the counts of fraudulent use of a counterfeit access device.
Mr. Holding stated, “The security and integrity of our credit and identity systems are of paramount concern to the Department of Justice and this is an important effort in maintaining these systems.”
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Investigation of the case is being conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Crabtree Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William M. Gilmore is serving as prosecutor for the government.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.
