According to sources, 12 people were indicted for allegedly making off with $293,000 in New Jersey through fraudulent credit card transactions. The defendants, all residents of New York, stand accused of using stolen credit card numbers at a variety of casinos to make cash withdrawals in May 2011.
The indictment alleges that the 12 individuals used their own correct identification with the cards imprinted with stolen numbers. When any of them were requested to present their identification, the name information matched, and the withdrawals were allowed. Authorities allege that the group would make withdrawals and then refrain from gambling. Reportedly, all were seen leaving the various casinos in the same vehicle.
The targeted casinos included the Tropicana, Caesars, Bally's and the Showboat. Two people, ages 41 and 33, are accused of being the ringleaders. Authorities assert that the two received nearly all of the proceeds from the intricate theft scheme. The various thefts were connected by the dates and times committed, according to law enforcement officers. They stand accused of fraudulently using credit cards, conspiracy, theft by deception and identity theft. If convicted, the defendants stand to spend between five and 10 years in prison.
In this case, the defendants could potentially be charged in both federal court as well as state court for the same alleged acts. Simultaneous prosecutions in federal and state court under the variant laws of each are allowable, according to established case law. The state and federal criminal law process differ from one another, each carrying their own sentencing schemes. Even if a person is accused of committing a felony offense only within the state system, he or she may still face significant prison time if convicted as charged. Those who stand accused may benefit by seeking the representation of a criminal defense attorney.
Source: NJ.com, "12 N.Y. residents indicted for stealing $293K in Atlantic City credit scam", Christopher Baxter, Jan. 15, 2015