Final man sentenced in million-dollar stolen mail credit card fraud scheme

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

HOUSTON - The final person in a large-scale mail theft and credit card fraud scheme has been ordered to prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Bradley Kane Zarco, 39, of Houston, pleaded guilty April 28.

U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen has now imposed a 60-month-term of imprisonment for Zarco. He must also serve three years of supervised release following his sentence. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Hanen noted Zarco's extensive criminal history involving violent offenses and identity theft.

Zarco admitted to obtaining stolen U.S. mail containing new credit cards and bank statements for intended account holders. They called financial institutions to activate the stolen credit cards, increased credit limits and changed information. The stolen credit cards were used to purchase goods, services, gift cards, cash and merchandise at retail stores.

Over a six-month period, they fraudulently activated at least 120 stolen credit cards and caused approximately $1 million in losses to Chase Bank.

Four others had also previously pleaded guilty to the same charges - Dennis Christopher McGee, 45, and Daniel Sanchez, 37, Travis Castaneda Qawasmeh, 28, all of Houston, and Nigerian citizen Omokehinde Muyiwa Oyegoke-Tewogbade, 64, who illegally resided in Houston.

McGee, the leader in the conspiracy, was previously ordered to serve 72 months in prison. Sanchez received a sentence of 41 months, and Qawasmeh and Oyegoke-Tewogbade received sentences of 24 months each. All were ordered to pay $839,555.75 in restitution to Chase Bank.

Zarco will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Lansden prosecuted the case.