The last two defendants involved in a Houston-based credit card fraud and mail theft scheme have pleaded guilty. Bradley Kane Zarco, 39, and Travis Castaneda Qawasmeh, 28, admitted to participating in a scheme that involved stealing credit cards and bank statements from the mail, activating the cards, and making approximately $1 million in fraudulent purchases, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office release.
The scheme targeted Chase Bank and involved the theft of at least 120 credit cards over six months. Zarco and Qawasmeh also admitted to altering credit limits and personal information to carry out the fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for August 11 before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen.
The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Three other individuals—Christopher McGee, 43, Daniel Sanchez, 37, and Omokehinde Muyiwa Oyegoke-Tewogbade, 64—have also pleaded guilty to related charges. Sanchez was sentenced to 41 months in prison earlier this year.
Zarco and Qawasmeh each face up to five years in federal prison and possible fines of up to $1 million. McGee faces an additional mandatory two-year sentence due to a charge of aggravated identity theft. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Lansden is prosecuting the cases.
