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U.S. v. Davit Simonyan, et. al. 20CR0314-MMA

New information posted 4/21/2022 (see below)

Victim Impact Statement

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Case Summary:

This case charges a ring of fraudsters who used skimming devices to steal unwitting victims’ account information from gas pumps, ATMs, and similar common points of sale.  The defendants then allegedly used that information to make fraudulent debit and credit cards, which they used to withdraw cash from victims’ accounts and make fraudulent purchases (like hundreds of thousands of dollars of postal money orders).  According to the indictment, these crimes were committed in and around San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, and Oklahoma. 

Defendants:

  • DAVIT SIMONYAN
  • VAHRAM S IMONYAN
  • ARSEN MINASYAN
  • GOR PLAVCHYAN
  • ARSEN GALSTYAN
  • MUKUCH MKRTCHYAN
  • SMBAT SHAHINYAN

 

08/02/2021 235 NOTICE OF CHANGE OF HEARING as to Defendant Mukuch Mkrtchyan. After consulting with counsel, Sentence With PSR set for 8/6/2021 is vacated and reset to 9/8/2021 09:45 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. Acknowledgment of next court date is due 8/20/2021.(pdc) (Entered: 08/02/2021)
 
08/02/2021 233 NOTICE OF CHANGE OF HEARING as to Defendant Smbat Shahinyan. At the joint request of counsel, Sentence With PSR set for 8/6/2021 is vacated and reset to 9/22/2021 09:30 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. Acknowledgment of next court date is due 8/16/2021.(pdc) (Entered: 08/02/2021)
 
08/02/2021 236 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo: Change of Plea Hearing as to Davit Simonyan, Vahram Simonyan, Arsen Galstyan held on 8/2/2021. Plea Tendered by Davit Simonyan, Vahram Simonyan Guilty on counts Count 1 Indictment. Plea Tendered by Arsen Galstyan Guilty on counts Count 2 Indictment. Excludable(s) started as to Davit Simonyan, Vahram Simonyan, Arsen Galstyan: XK 8/2/2021 - 11/3/2021. PSR Ordered. All pending motions withdrawn; Pending hearing dates vacated. Any objections to Findings due within 14 days. ( Sentence With PSR set for 11/3/2021 09:30 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello.) (Interpreter Noune Oganessian). (CD# 8/2/2021 WVG21 2:23 - 2:35; 2:55 - 3:55). (Plaintiff Attorney Nicholas Pilchak-AUSA). (Defendant Attorney George Mgdesyan-RET; Lance Rosenberg-RET; Rafayel Mgdesyan-RET). (mtb) (Entered: 08/03/2021)
 
08/06/2021 247 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo: Change of Plea Hearing as to Gor Plavchyan held on 8/6/2021. Plea Tendered by Gor Plavchyan Guilty on counts Count 2 of Indictment. Excludable(s) started as to Gor Plavchyan: XK 8/6/2021 - 11/3/2021. PSR Ordered. All pending motions withdrawn; Pending hearing dates vacated. Any objections to Findings due within 14 days.( Sentence With PSR set for 11/3/2021 09:30 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello.) (Interpreter Liliya Boshyan). (CD# 8/6/2021 WVG21 2:45 - 3:01). (Plaintiff Attorney Amy Brammell-AUSA-S/A). (Defendant Attorney Melanie Killedjian-RET). (mtb) (Entered: 08/06/2021)
 
09/30/2021 263 NOTICE OF CHANGE OF HEARING as to Defendant Gor Plavchyan. At the request of probation, with no objection by the parties, Sentence With PSR set for 11/3/2021 is vacated and reset to 1/12/2022 09:30 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. Acknowledgment of next court date is due 10/15/2021.(pdc) (Entered: 09/30/2021)
10/07/2021 270 NOTICE OF CHANGE OF HEARING as to Defendant Smbat Shahinyan. Due to a conflict with the Court's schedule and with no objection by the parties, Sentence With PSR set for 10/13/2021 is vacated and reset to 12/1/2021 09:30 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. Acknowledgment of next court date is due 10/21/2021.(pdc) (Entered: 10/07/2021)
10/14/2021 272 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Michael M. Anello: Sentence With PSR Hearing held on 10/14/2021 for Mukuch Mkrtchyan (6). Count 2: Custody BOP for a term of 24 months. 3 years Supervised Release. $100.00 Assessment. No fine. Restitution $116,070.00. Defendant to self surrender by noon on 11/26/2021. Status Hearing set for 12/1/2021 10:00 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. Status Hearing to be vacated upon confirmation from the USMS that the defendant has self surrendered. (Interpreter Noune Oganessian - appearing by video). (Court Reporter/ECR Gayle Wakefield). (AUSA Nicholas Pilchak). (Defense Attorney William Burgener CJA). (no document attached) (pdc) (Entered: 10/14/2021)
02/18/2022 303  NOTICE OF CHANGE OF HEARING as to Defendants Davit Simonyan, Vahram Simonyan, Arsen Galstyan. At the joint request of counsel, Sentence With PSR as to Davit Simonyan, Vahram Simonyan and Arsen Galstyan is reset to 4/20/2022 09:30 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. Acknowledgment of next court date is due 3/4/2022.(pdc) (Entered: 02/18/2022)
02/22/2022 304 NOTICE OF CHANGE OF HEARING as to Defendant Gor Plavchyan. At the joint request of counsel, Sentence With PSR set for 3/23/2022 is vacated and reset to 5/4/2022 09:30 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. Acknowledgment of next court date is due 3/9/2022.(pdc) (Entered: 02/22/2022)
04/20/2022 321 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Michael M. Anello: Sentence With PSR Hearing held on 4/20/2022 for Davit Simonyan (1). Count 1: Custody BOP for a term of 46 months. 3 years Supervised Release. $100.00 Assessment. No fine. Restitution: $116,408.00. Government oral motion to dismiss remaining count - granted. Defendant to self surrender by noon on 6/22/2022. Status Hearing set for 6/29/2022 10:00 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. (Interpreter Hasmik Hovhanisyan). (Court ReporterJuliet Eichenlaub). (AUSA Nicholas Pilchak). (Defense Attorney George Mgdesyan RET). (no document attached) (pdc) (Entered: 04/20/2022)
04/20/2022 322

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Michael M. Anello: Sentence With PSR Hearing held on 4/20/2022 for Vahram Simonyan (2). Count 1: Custody BOP for a term of 33 months. 3 years Supervised Release. $100.00 Assessment. No fine. Restitution: $116,408.00. Defendant to self surrender by noon on 7/13/2022. Status Hearing set for 7/27/2022 10:00 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. (Interpreter Hasmik Hovhanisyan). (Court Reporter/ECR Juliet Eichenlaub). (AUSA Nicholas Pilchak). (Defense Attorney Lance Rosenberg RET). (no document attached) (pdc) (Entered: 04/21/2022)
04/20/2022 323

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Michael M. Anello: Sentence With PSR Hearing held on 4/20/2022 for Arsen Galstyan (5). Count 2: Custody BOP for a term of 18 months. 3 years Supervised Release. $100.00 Assessment. No fine. Restitution: $116,408.00. Defendant to self surrender by noon on 8/10/2022. Status set for 8/24/2022 10:00 AM before Judge Michael M. Anello. (Interpreter Hasmik Hovhanisyan). (Court Reporter/ECR Juliet Eichenlaub). (AUSA Nicholas Pilchak). (Defense Attorney Rafayel Mgdesyan RET). (no document attached) (pdc) (Entered: 04/21/2022)

Next Hearing Scheduled:

Sentencing Hearing for Defendant Gor Plavchyan set for May 4, 2022 at 09:30 AM before Hon. Michael M. Anello. 

Courtroom 3C (third floor)

Edward J. Schwartz
United States Courthouse
221 West Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101

 

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Justice Department Large Case information:  https://www.justice.gov/largecases

Press Releases:

Man Admits Role in Nationwide Card Fraud, Money Laundering Scheme

Contact:

Southern District of California
Victim-Witness Program

Dina DeBoer, M.A. Forensic Psychology, CA
Nationally Credentialed Advocate
Victim-Witness Coordinator

dina.deboer@usdoj.gov
880 Front Street, Room 6293
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 546-9493

Court Documents:

Updated April 21, 2022