Date: 03-22-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Emmanuel Babajide Awolaja

Case Number: 4:23-CR-139

Judge: Ewing Werlein Jr.

Court: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Harris County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Houston

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Houston, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with illegal use of stolen credit card information.

$1.5M shopping spree: local man imprisoned for illegal use of stolen credit card information

A 34-year-old Missouri City man has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identity theft.

Emmanuel Babajide Awolaja pleaded guilty Nov. 3, 2023.

U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. has now ordered Awolaja to serve 138 months for the conspiracy as well as another 24 months for the aggravated identity theft which must be served consecutively. The total 162-month prison term will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $263,955.73 in restitution to the victims which included local merchants.

At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that determined Awolaja was responsible for more than $1.5 million in losses. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Awolaja’s criminal history dated back almost 20 years with this being his 13th felony offense. Judge Werlein noted how the previous sentences have not deterred him from criminal activity, and the court was imposing this sentence to protect the public from his continued criminal recidivism.

Awolaja and Tia Nicole Chavis came into possession of credit card information for numerous Chase Bank customers along with personal identifying information of various individuals.

From February 2021 until October 2023, Chavis agreed to help Awolaja use the unlawfully obtained credit card information to purchase expensive jewelry, hotel rooms, rental cars, meals and various other goods or services.

When they would first attempt to use the cards, the charges would be denied. However, Awolaja and Chavis persuaded merchants to manually enter the card numbers which typically resulted in approval, ultimately causing substantial loss for the merchants.

The investigation revealed Awolaja used the stolen account information to make purchases in Iowa, Virginia and several other states.

The scheme unraveled May 19, 2021, when they attempted to fraudulently purchase a $14,000 watch at Tomball Pawn and Jewelry. Law enforcement then worked with merchants throughout the country to identify Chavis and Awolaja from store video in other transactions.

Chavis, 32, Houston, also pleaded guilty and it set for sentencing April 12.

Both have been and will remain in custody.

The Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman prosecuted the case.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 138 months for the conspiracy as well as another 24 months for the aggravated identity theft which must be served consecutively. The total 162-month prison term will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $263,955.73 in restitution to the victims which included local merchants.

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