Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson has announced that Tamas Kolozsvari, a 30-year-old Romanian national, pleaded guilty to three counts of access device fraud on July 1, 2025. The charges are in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(4).
Court documents reveal that on November 13 and 14, 2024, Kolozsvari and two others were found in possession of device-making equipment such as credit/debit card skimmers at three retail locations in the Eastern District of Louisiana. These skimmers were installed on point-of-sale machines.
Kolozsvari could face up to fifteen years in prison for each count, along with up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. There is also a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count. Sentencing is set for October 28, 2025.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). It seeks to protect communities from violent crime through coordinated efforts involving the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation was conducted by Special Agents from the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General; Deputies from both the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office; and Officers from the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Christine M. Calogero is handling the prosecution.
