Houston fraudster heads to prison for possessing counterfeit identities, checks and credit cards

HOUSTON – A 43-year-old man has been sentenced for possessing counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Wade Zollinger pleaded guilty Nov. 13, 2023.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. has now ordered Zollinger to serve 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted it had a duty to issue a fair sentence on behalf of Zollinger’s victims.

At the time of the plea, Zollinger admitted to fleeing from law enforcement in a stolen vehicle. They apprehended him and located numerous counterfeit identification documents. These included credit and debit cards, personal checks belonging to others, counterfeit U.S. currency as well as counterfeit U.S. currency plates used for the manufacture of currency. They also found multiple ledgers detailing the personal identifiable information of others. 

Shortly thereafter, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Zollinger’s residence and recovered additional evidence of the same type.

Secret Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grace Murphy and James Hu prosecuted the case.