Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
Two Romanian nationals unlawfully present in the United States have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a credit card skimming operation that targeted grocery stores across Alabama and Mississippi, according to an announcement by Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson on March 26.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about financial fraud involving electronic devices at retail locations. Skimming schemes can compromise consumer data, leading to significant financial losses for both individuals and businesses.
Denis Adelin Ionescu, age 24, was sentenced to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of device-making equipment. Ioan Victor Stanciu, age 33, received a sentence of 24 months following his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Both men are from Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records and plea agreements, law enforcement began investigating the installation of a skimmer device at a grocery store in Ozark, Alabama in March 2025. Investigators identified Ionescu and Stanciu as suspects along with others involved. Skimmers are electronic devices used to capture information from credit cards when they are swiped or inserted into point-of-sale terminals.
The investigation found that Ionescu and Stanciu were connected to additional skimming devices installed at retail locations throughout several cities including Dothan, Alexander City, Eufaula, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Mobile, Talladega (all in Alabama), and Gulfport (Mississippi). In total, conspirators placed 23 skimming devices at twelve separate locations. The intended loss was calculated at nearly $1.8 million based on compromised card data; actual losses from known fraudulent transactions totaled $50,978.36—the amount ordered as restitution by the court.
A co-conspirator identified as Marian Catalin Matei has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on May 21.
The United States Secret Service worked alongside local police departments from Bessemer and Ozark during the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.
