New Jersey man admits his role in a scheme involving the theft of more than $250,000

Date: May 21, 2026

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Newark, NJ - A New Jersey man admitted to engaging in wire fraud and aggravated identity theft that caused losses of more than $250,000, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Terrance Hart of Garfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court yesterday to an Information charging him with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentencing date is scheduled for Oct. 14. 2026.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Hart opened or caused others to fraudulently open various bank accounts in the names of other individuals or entities, but that were actually under his control. Hart then deposited or caused others to deposit fraudulently obtained funds, including stolen United States Treasury checks, into the bank accounts. Then, Hart withdrew money from the bank accounts and converted the resulting funds to his personal use.

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the value of the gain or loss, whichever is greater. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the value of the gain or loss, whichever is greater.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark, and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Franklin Township Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy with the investigation leading to this plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 18 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.