Guilty Plea for New York Man in National Fraud Enforcement Division Prosecution

Pensacola, Florida - Dustin Lemmon Carpio, 33, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices, use of a false passport, and aggravated identity theft. This prosecution was part of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud launched by President Donald J. Trump, a whole-of-government effort to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "The theft and exploitation of personal identifying information by fraudsters can have a devastating effect on the innocent victims whose finances are imperiled by scammers, like this defendant, who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of others. With the support of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, my office is striking back against those fraudsters to hold them accountable and deliver justice for their victims."

Court documents reflect that the defendant conspired with others to steal and use other people's identities to fraudulently obtain money and property. The defendant's co-conspirators provided him the personal identifying information of real individuals without their knowledge or authorization, which the defendant used to obtain or attempt to obtain thousands of dollars of high-value electronic devices, such as Apple products, and related accessories and services that would be charged to accounts at national wireless communication provider chain locations. The defendant was arrested in March 2024 in Okaloosa County, Florida, while attempting to conduct such fraudulent transactions against real customer accounts using a counterfeit United States passport card. At the time of his arrest, the defendant possessed the personal identifying information of over 80 people, including social security numbers and account numbers.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Carpio faces up to 20 years' imprisonment on the conspiracy to commit wire fraud count; up to 10 years' imprisonment on each of the possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices and use of a false passport counts; and a mandatory two years' imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence on the aggravated identity theft count. As part of his plea agreement, Carpio agreed to forfeit any forfeitable assets and to pay restitution.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service with assistance from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.