Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Grand Rapids Man Indicted For Possession Of Stolen Mail, Credit Card Fraud, And Aggrivated IdentityI Theft
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Kahwahnas Nucumbhi Potts, age 38, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was arrested today on federal charges related to his possession of stolen mail, aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud. Potts remains in federal custody.
According to the indictment, from at least March 2015 until April 2016, Potts possessed stolen mail belonging to various residents of Kent County, Michigan. Potts applied for numerous credit cards in the names of these residents and unlawfully used credit cards issued to these individuals. Potts carried out his criminal activities by knowingly transferring, possessing and using the means of identification of these individuals, including their names, social security account numbers, and dates of birth, when transacting business with various banks and other financial institutions.
Potts arraignment on these charges is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on February 1, 2018, in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The charges for possession of stolen mail and unlawful use of social security account numbers carry a statutory penalty of up to 5 years’ imprisonment. The use of an unauthorized access device (credit card fraud) carries a statutory penalty of up to 5 years’ imprisonment. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence that the court may impose. If convicted, Potts will also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims.
The Grand Rapids Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Police Department Metropolitan Fraud and Identity Theft Team, is handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Stella is prosecuting the case.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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