Broward Resident Sentenced for his Role in Identity Theft Fraud Scheme Involving Stolen Credit Card Numbers

A Broward resident was sentenced to 34 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution of $45,711.10, for his involvement in an identity theft fraud scheme where he obtained and used stolen credit card numbers of individuals without their authorization.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Neil Melofchik, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), made the announcement.

Jaqwayn Henry, 25, of Lauderhill, previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2), and one count of aggravated identity theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).

Co-defendants Andrew Ware, 27, Alex Dontfred, 29, David Tilus, 27, Sherika Rowe, 20, Fritznel Etienne, 24, and Latonya Ware, 27, all of Lauderhill, were previously sentenced. Andrew Ware was sentenced on April 18, 2014 to 70 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $182,246.10 in restitution. Dontfred was sentenced on March 18, 2014 to 46 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to forfeit $49,561.88 and pay restitution in the amount of $45,711.10. Tilus was sentenced on March 10, 2014 to 70 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $188,322 in restitution. Rowe was sentenced on March 13, 2014 to 45 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $136,538 and restitution in the amount of $136,535. Etienne was sentenced on March 14, 2014 to 34 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $11,204 and restitution in the amount of $3,844.81. Latonya Ware was sentenced on March 10, 2014 to 34 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a money judgment of $136,535 and restitution in the amount of $136,535.

Andrew Ware previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349, 1343, 1029(b)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Dontfred previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(b)(2) and 1029(a)(2), respectively. Tilus previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349, 1343, 1029(b)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Rowe previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, 1343 and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Etienne previously pled guilty to one count each of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(a)(2) and 1028A(a)(1), respectively. Latonya Ware previously pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and 1028A(a)(1), respectively.

According to court documents, Andrew Ware, David Tilus, Latonya Ware and Sherika Rowe obtained the personal identifying information (PII) of numerous identity theft victims, including their names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. Latonya Ware stole patients' names and social security numbers from a medical office where she worked, and gave the PII to Tilus and her cousin, Andrew Ware. Rowe electronically filed fraudulent tax returns utilizing the victims’ names and social security numbers, and the fraudulent refunds from these returns were loaded onto prepaid debit cards that Tilus and Andrew Ware used to purchase gift cards and other merchandise from retail stores. The fraudulent refunds that Andrew Ware, Tilus, Latonya Ware and Rowe claimed using stolen identities totaled returns in the amount of approximately $137,132 dollars.

Court documents indicate that Henry, Andrew Ware, Tilus, Dontfred and Etienne utilized victims’ access devices without their authorization, to purchase merchandise totaling at least $1,000 in a single year. These defendants obtained credit card numbers from various victims and used these stolen access devices to purchase merchandise, gift cards and prepaid debit cards for later use. The total amount of fraudulent charges made or attempted to be made by Henry, Andrew Ware, Tilus, and Dontfred utilizing the stolen credit cards is $49,561.88. From approximately January 20, 2012 through January 22, 2012, the total amount of fraudulent charges made or attempted to be made by Etienne utilizing a stolen credit card number was $11,942.23.

The indictment was dismissed against Latanya Ware.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, the USSS, and BSO. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Shick and Harry Wallace.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.