PITTSBURGH, PA — A resident of New York, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, announced United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.
Erick Cottrell, age 54 pleaded guilty Monday, October 23, 2023, to two counts before United States District Judge Christy Wiegand.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in February 2022, Cottrell withdrew $23,000 from the bank account of an individual, using that individual’s bank account information, his personal identification information, and a counterfeit driver’s license in that individual’s name, but with the image of Cottrell. He later attempted another withdrawal from the same bank in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was arrested. A search incident to arrest revealed the counterfeit driver’s license. Cottrell was released on bond from his Baltimore arrest, and he continued to engage in access device fraud.
In April 2023, he was arrested after using a counterfeit driver’s license and counterfeit credit cards and debit cards to rent a hotel room and a U-Haul vehicle and to make various purchases throughout the Pittsburgh area. He was arrested in connection with this activity by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and a search incident to his arrest revealed a counterfeit driver’s license.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for February 26, 2024. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than two years in prison and not more than twelve years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court detained the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Secret Service in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cottrell.
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