HOUSTON - A three-count federal indictment has been returned against Darnell Wayne Menard, 28, of Spring, alleging he used or possessed more than 900 stolen debit and credit card numbers, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Menard was arrested yesterday and is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson at 2:00 p.m. today.
The indictment charges Menard with one count of trafficking in unauthorized “access devices" (stolen credit and debit card numbers), one count of possessing unauthorized access devices and one count of conspiracy.
Menard and others allegedly purchased, via the Internet, information about stolen debit and credit cards issued by credit unions and banks in various countries, including the United States, Columbia, Sweden and Canada. The indictment alleges he used that information to purchase gift cards and money orders at various merchants in the Houston area. Menard then cashed out those fraudulently obtained items and used the proceeds for his own benefit, according to the charges.
If convicted, Menard faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each of the two access device charges and a maximum of five years on the underlying conspiracy.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Lewis is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
