Niles Resident Charged with Wire Fraud

A one-count information was filed charging Damian Hileman, age 39, of Niles, Ohio, with wire fraud, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today.

The information charges that on numerous occasions from on or about January 1, 2009, through on or about January 12, 2010, the defendant, for the purpose of executing the scheme and artifice to defraud, caused to be transmitted by means of wire communication in interstate commerce, writings, signs, signals, pictures, and sounds, to wit: Internet postings and advertisements to various locations outside Ohio.

It was a part of the scheme that Hileman operated Internet web sites offering services to obtain new Social Security numbers. Hileman fraudulently represented that the services were legal, knowing that the manner in which the social security numbers would be obtained was, in fact, illegal.

Hileman also operated an Internet web site that advertised services to obtain large sums of money from existing non-profit corporations. The site fraudulently claimed that money could be obtained from these companies, donated to a new non-profit corporation set up by the client, and would never have to be repaid.

Further, Hileman solicited and received cash payments from individuals who responded to these Internet advertisements. On at least 14 occasions, the defendant failed to perform any services after obtaining cash payments from individuals who responded to these Internet advertisements.

As a result of this scheme and artifice to defraud, the defendant obtained approximately $37,500 in money and property.

If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation -Youngstown Resident Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.