Grand jury indicts for bank fraud, identity theft

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In an 11-count indictment, Ryan Jay Meckenstock, 35, and Nicole Lanae Stevenson, 24, are accused of fraud in connection with access devices, aggravated identity theft, possessing counterfeit checks and fraud in connection with ID documents from February through August of this year. No hometown was listed for either.Article Tools Printer friendly edition E-mail this to a friend RSS Feed Digg this history Add to Del.icio.us The indictment alleges that Meckenstock and Stevenson obtained driver’s licenses, Social Security cards and numbers and other forms of identification of other people through stolen medical files, Internet searches, credit reports, stolen or discarded mail and other means, then used these to obtain credit from merchants.

The grand jury also accuses the couple of producing and using counterfeit forms of ID for the same purpose, and of unauthorized use of Sam’s Club, Circuit City, and Bass Pro Shops credit account numbers with intent to defraud, obtaining merchandise valued at $1,000 or more.
Meckenstock and Stevenson were also indicted for possession of approximately 228 counterfeit driver’s licenses and 68 Social Security cards, both genuine and counterfeit in the names of other people.
If the two are convicted of access device fraud, prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of numerous computers, printers, cameras, several watches, and other items.

Upon conviction, the penalties for access device fraud using others’ credit account numbers, and for possessing counterfeit checks, is up to 10 years in prison. The maximum penalty for aggravated ID theft is up to two years in prison. A conviction of fraud in connection with ID documents carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison. Each also carries the potential for a fine of up to $250,000, or both a prison sentence and fine.

Godofredo Antonio Caballero Jr., 32, of Avondale, Ariz., and Samuel Wayne Dumers, 29, of Phoenix, Ariz., are accused of conspiracy and possessing equipment for making counterfeit access devices.
Specifically, a two-count indictment accuses Caballero and Dumers of using multiple counterfeit credit cards to purchase gift cards at Wal-Mart, Sears and Lowe’s, “which were in an affecting interstate commerce.”

It is alleged that they and co-conspirators would use the cards to obtain goods in July and August.
The indictment alleges that Caballero went to Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Gordman’s and Home Depot stores in Norman, Oklahoma City and Moore to make purchases using “mini Bank of America” Visa cards to buy merchandise.

The grand jury contends that Caballero and Dumers and others purchased large quantities of merchandise ranging from clothing to jewelry, power tools and a plasma-screen television.
A conviction of possessing equipment for making counterfeit access devices carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison. Individuals convicted of both crimes may also be assessed a fine of up to $250,000.

Douglas Royal Vreeland Jr., 23; Bayle Renea Jones, 20; and Buddy Lewis Hendrix, 27, were named in a 29-count indictment alleging conspiracy and use of counterfeit checks. No hometowns were given for the three.

Each is accused of one count of conspiracy. Vreeland is alleged to have committed 11 instances of using forged or counterfeit checks, Jones 13 counts and Hendrix four counts. It is alleged that the checks were presented at various banks between September and December 2006.

Values of the checks allegedly ranged from $13.18 to $2,000.

Three women are accused of conspiracy and theft or bribery in programs receiving federal funds, involving use of federal grant funds for their personal benefit from about November 2002 through January 2004.

The grand jury allegations involve accusations of misuse of grants to the South Central Region Tribal Nations and Friends Domestic Violence Coalition in Perkins. The grants are administered by the Office on Violence Against Women, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice.

Cindy Lou Shores, 46, was executive director of the coalition; Wenona Barnett, 46, secretary and Angela Camp, 28, a board member.

Each is accused of one count of conspiracy. Shores is accused of two counts of theft or bribery in programs receiving federal funds, Barnett and Camp one count each.

The grand jury alleges that more than $160,000 was disbursed outside the guidelines of the grant and for the person gain of the defendants: Shores more than $106,000, Barnett more than $25,000 and Camp more than $37,000.

It is alleged that the women cashed checks and withdrew funds from a coalition account at Payne County Bank for their personal gain.

Conviction of theft or bribery in programs receiving federal funds carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

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