The eighth and final defendant in a nationwide scheme that stole at least 19 rental cars valued at $1.1 million pleaded guilty Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri announced.
James E. McGhaney, 35, of New York City, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud, the department said.
Tyrell A. Oliver, 40, the scheme’s organizer, pleaded guilty on Oct. 23 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft, according to the department.
Oliver organized a scheme in which conspirators used stolen credit card information and identities to reserve high-end rental vehicles, primarily SUVs, the department stated.
McGhaney also recruited and supervised other participants in the scheme, in addition to stealing vehicles himself, according to his plea agreement.
The conspirators targeted rental cars across the United States, including in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, the department said.