PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Joseph Dees, a/k/a Joseph Lee, a/k/a Jay Dees, 52, of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, Dees conspired with other persons to obtain unauthorized credit card account information to purchase merchandise in stores in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2013. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, in addition to a mandatory minimum sentence of 24 months incarceration, and a fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dees.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
