A New York man admitted in a Pensacola federal courtroom on Monday that he played a key role in a cross-country identity fraud scheme built around high-end phones and wireless services, prosecutors say.
Dustin Lemmon Carpio, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, possession of more than 15 counterfeit and unauthorized access devices, use of a false passport and aggravated identity theft. Federal prosecutors say the plea leaves him facing substantial prison time. He is scheduled to return to federal court in Pensacola for sentencing on Sept. 3.
How prosecutors say the scheme worked
According to prosecutors, Carpio worked with co-defendants who supplied him with personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and account numbers. Using that data, he obtained or tried to obtain thousands of dollars in phones, accessories and wireless services at national wireless-store locations, court officials say.
Authorities say the scheme came to a halt in March 2024, when Carpio was arrested in Okaloosa County while attempting to carry out one of those transactions with a counterfeit U.S. passport card. As outlined by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Carpio agreed in his plea to forfeit any forfeitable assets and to pay restitution.
U.S. attorney: victims are harmed
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said the case is a reminder that identity fraud is more than a paperwork crime…