BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Darnele J. Nelson, 32, of California, pleaded guilty to possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, before U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that on May 5, 2013, Nelson was found with approximately 100 unauthorized access devices, including credit cards, debit cards and gift cards, as he attempted to enter Canada.
The conviction is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, and Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Randy Howe, Acting Director of Field Operations.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
