Three Indicted In ID Theft, Fraudulent Credit Card Scheme

 PROVIDENCE – A federal indictment returned by a grand jury on April 2, 2021, and unsealed on April 16, 2021, charges three individuals with having been in possession of dozens of fraudulent drivers’ licenses, fraudulent credit cards, equipment to produce credit cards, and lists of individuals stolen personal identifying information.

It is alleged in the indictment that Courtney Hilaire, 28, of Providence, Hugh A. Martin, 32, of Pawtucket, and Shawn K. Hilaire, 30, of Avon, MA, possessed devices and equipment used to create fraudulent credit cards with the use of stolen credit card numbers and personal identifying information, such as names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers.

According to information presented to the court following the arrest of Courtney Hilaire on April 5, 2021, a Warwick Police Department Captain discovered the three men reclined in a vehicle parked in a hotel parking lot in the early morning hours of  July 3, 2020. It was determined that the license plate on the vehicle was allegedly stolen from Norwood, MA.

After removing the individuals from the vehicle, Warwick Police allegedly discovered 33 counterfeit credit cards, numerous fraudulent drivers’ licenses from multiple states, equipment used to read and transfer information onto credit card magnetic strips, listings of  individuals identities and personal identifying information, and approximately $13,000 in crisp, clean $100 and $50 dollar bills.

The indictment charges the three men with conspiracy to possess fifteen or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, possession of fifteen or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, possession of device-making equipment, and aggravated identity theft.

Since the issuance of the indictment, further investigation into Courtney Hilaire’s alleged criminal activity has resulted in the return of 17-count indictment charging Courtney Hilaire with using stolen Social Security numbers and personal identifying information of numerous individuals to apply for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funded unemployment insurance compensation from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor  and for Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration.

Courtney Hilaire is currently detained in both state and federal custody at the ACI. Arrest warrants have been issued for Hugh A. Martin and Shawn K. Hilaire.

The indictment of Hugh A. Martin, Courtney Hilaire, and Shawn K. Hilaire is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, Warwick Police Chief Colonel Bradford Connor, and Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Warwick and Pawtucket Police Departments.