In April 2014, law enforcement was contacted by a Sam’s Club and Walmart fraud investigator, who requested assistance with an ongoing credit card fraud investigation. Review of surveillance camera footage from Walmart and Sam’s Club stores helped law enforcement identify Bethea as the person using fraudulently obtained credit cards to purchase merchandise at retailers throughout Wisconsin and Michigan.
Bethea purchased various items with the fraudulent credit cards, including food items, iPads, video gaming systems, clothing, computers, and electronics.
The charge against Bethea was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger.
-- Western District of Wisconsin