Five Florida residents admit to fraud charges involving gas station skimmers

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Five Florida residents have admitted to their involvement with a gas station skimming fraud scheme, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Three pled guilty to one count each of “Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud” and one count each of “Access Device Fraud-Use of Unauthorized Access Device.” They are:

•    Meylan Montalvo Gomez, of Hialeah, Florida, age 27

•    Yosan Pons Sosa, of Miami, Florida, age 29

•    Lazaro Serrano Diaz , of Miami, Florida, age 27

Naudi Reyes Fernandez, of Miami, Florida, age 37, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud” and one count of “Access Device Fraud-Possession of Device-Making Equipment.”

Yarai Fuentes Quinones, of Hialeah, Florida, age 26, pled guilty today to one count of “Access Device Fraud-Use of Unauthorized Access Device.”

Each admitted to their roles in a conspiracy spanning four states that involved using skimming devices at gas pumps, using technology to upload the account information, and creating fraudulent cards with said accounts to make unauthorized transactions at different businesses in West Virginia and elsewhere.

Gomez, Sosa, and Diaz are each facing up to up to seven and a half years incarceration and fine of up to $125,000 for the conspiracy count and up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the access device count. Fernandez is facing up to seven and a half years incarceration and fine of up to $125,000 for the conspiracy count and up to 15 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the possession of a device count. Quinones is facing up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The United States is also seeking forfeiture of the following:

a.    approximately thirty-three (33) gift cards containing an unknown value;

b.    approximately $72,495.73 in United States Currency;

c.    approximately $28,498.00 worth of Western Union money orders;

d.    approximately $10,300.00 worth of MoneyGram money orders;

e.    one magnetic stripe card reader-writer-encoder

f.    two laptops

g.    six cell phones

The United States is also seeking a money judgement against each of the defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, West Virginia State Police and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.