WATSON was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, three counts of bank fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to today’s indictment, the investigation was initiated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after determining that WATSON was using stolen or fraudulent identities to obtain vehicle financing. The investigation revealed that WATSON, who previously worked as a used car salesman, submitted numerous fraudulent loan applications to financial institutions and automobile lenders, sometimes using the personal identifying information of his customers. WATSON was also charged with aggravated identity theft for stealing the identities of several current/former military members or their families and submitting fraudulent loan applications to USAA Financial on their behalf.
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser reiterated that the Indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, WATSON faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, followed by up to five years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344, WATSON faces a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment, followed by up to five years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, he faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, followed by up to three years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a sentence of two years consecutive to any other sentence imposed, followed by one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service Financial Crimes Taskforce in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh is in charge of the prosecution.
-- Eastern District of Louisiana