Storm Lake man found guilty of fraud in federal court

SIOUX CITY – A man who committed multiple frauds was convicted by a jury October 23, 2014, after a three-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

Yoirlan Tome Rojas, age, from Storm Lake, Iowa, was convicted of two counts of using a counterfeit access device; one count of possession of fifteen or more counterfeit access devices; one count of money laundering; and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The verdict was returned following about one hour of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that Rojas manufactured credit cards and utilized those cards to conduct purchases at Walmart and various other places of business in the Storm Lake, Iowa, area. Rojas would use the manufactured credit cards to purchase gift cards to later use to make “legitimate” purchases. At least two of the cards Rojas utilized belonged to individuals who reported unauthorized use of their credit cards.

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Rojas remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. On all of the charges, Rojas faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, $600 in special assessments, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Bowers and was investigated by the Storm Lake Iowa Police Department and the United States Secret Service.