RI MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CREDIT CARD FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT OFFENSES

RHODE ISLAND MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CREDIT CARD FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT OFFENSES

            John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HENRY FELLELA, JR., 61, of Johnston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to credit card fraud and identity theft offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2018, Fellela was released from federal prison following a 48-month sentence imposed in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island for credit card fraud, aggravated identity theft and other offenses.  Between March 2018 and March 2019, while he was on federal supervised release, Fellela stole credit cards from Connecticut residents and used the cards to make approximately $48,000 in fraudulent purchases at various retail stores throughout Connecticut and elsewhere.

Fellela pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years.  Fellela also faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release.   Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for February 13, 2020.

Fellela has been detained since his arrest on March 8, 2019.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Sarala Nagala.