Fourth person charged in Philadelphia identity theft ring

PHILADELPHIA – A Reading, Pennsylvania, man was charged Thursday with conspiracy, wire fraud and bank fraud as part of a larger U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE)
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led case investigating a stolen identity ring operating in the Philadelphia area. 

Brandon Jones, 33, was charged Thursday after three of his other co-conspirators were charged and pleaded guilty in federal court.

The indictment alleges that Jones participated in two related identify theft schemes.  According to the indictment, Jones and his co-conspirators created and used false identities to make fraudulent credit card purchases and to purchase vehicles with fraudulent bank loans. 

The leader of the conspiracy, Damian Gasdaska, provided Jones and other co-conspirators with fraudulent credit cards, which Jones and the others used to purchase other items, including small, expensive electronic equipment.  After the purchases, Jones and the co-conspirators provided these items to Gasdaska, who then sold them and paid the co-conspirators for their illegal services. 

Among other things, the indictment also alleges that Jones, Gasdaska, and their co-conspirators used false identities to obtain fraudulent car loans in order to purchase vehicles.  Allegedly, in August 2012, Jones with Gasdaska’s help, obtained a fraudulent loan in the name of "J.O." from a credit union and then used this loan to purchase a 2007 BMW in this false name. 

As part of this fraudulent purchase, Jones used false personal identifying information in J.O.’s name, a false driver’s license with J.O.’s name and Jones’ photograph, and false employment information.

The three other co-conspirators who previously pleaded guilty in connection with the identify theft schemes are:  John Cordero, April 28, 2014, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of bank fraud.  Damian Gasdaska and Johnnie Rhines, Nov. 6, 2014, both pleaded guilty.  Gasdaska pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, six counts of wire fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.  Rhines pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of bank fraud.

If convicted, Jones faces a maximum possible sentence of 55 years in prison, a five-year period of supervised release, a $1.5 million fine, a $300 special assessment, and the imposition of full restitution.

The case was investigated by HSI's Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) with the U. S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Lehigh County Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Murray.