A Romanian national, Tamas Kolozsvari, 30, was sentenced to time served for access device fraud in New Orleans federal court on November 20, 2025. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Chief Judge Wendy B. Vitter. Kolozsvari had been in custody since November 20, 2024.
Court documents indicate that on November 13 and 14, 2024, Kolozsvari and two others possessed device-making equipment such as credit and debit card skimmers at three retail locations within the Eastern District of Louisiana. The group installed these skimmers on point-of-sale machines.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
The investigation involved Special Agents from the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General; deputies with both the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office; as well as officers from the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Christine M. Calogero from the General Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
