The bill of information charges DANIEL TANASE, age 39, and GABRIELLA TEKSE, age 31, with one count each of aggravated identity theft. Should they be convicted, they each face a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum $250,000.00 fine, and up to one year of supervised release. According to court documents, the defendants were arrested after an investigation initiated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office based on reports that two individuals were attempting to use stolen debit card information to withdraw money at ATMs in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Members of the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force arrested the defendants on June 19, 2018, at an Airbnb in Jefferson Parish where they were found with $32,612.00 in cash and approximately 81 gift cards that had been encoded with stolen bank account information. U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Strasser also praised the agencies that contributed to this bill of information. This prosecution represents a coordinated effort of federal and state law enforcement authorities within the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force. The Task Force includes representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department, and the New Orleans Police Department. Additionally, U.S. Attorney Strasser thanked the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew R. Payne is in charge of the prosecution.
-- Eastern District of Lousiana