(Columbus, Ohio) – On March 3, 2015, the United States Secret Service Columbus Resident Office arrested five members of an organized crime ring accused of operating a stolen credit card, identity theft, tax fraud, and money laundering conspiracy in Columbus, Ohio. The criminal conspiracy is responsible for approximately $2 million in losses.
“Our success in this case and other investigations is a result of our close work with our law enforcement and private sector partners,” said Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Mark Porter. “The dismantling of this criminal operation demonstrates the exceptional capabilities of our task force partnerships.”
The case was investigated by the Secret Service’s Southern District of Ohio Task Force (SDOHTF). The SDOHTF is a financial and electronic crimes task force that consists of federal, state and local police agencies as well as retail loss prevention and bank investigators. Throughout the investigation, the Secret Service received assistance from approximately 175 task force members. Additionally, over 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officers assisted in the execution of search and arrest warrants.
The SDOHTF consist of the following members:
Law Enforcement: Columbus PD, Westerville PD, Whitehall PD, Gahanna PD, Upper Arlington PD, Chillicothe PD, Delaware County SO, Franklin County SO, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Auditors Office, Ohio Casino Control, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigators, and Postal Inspectors.
Retail: Kroger, Walmart, Meijer, Speedway, United Dairy Farmers, CVS, Walgreens, Saks Fifth Avenue, Giant Eagle, Target.
Banks: Chase, 5/3, Huntington Bank, American Express, Discover, Citi.
This case continues pending further investigation and judicial action.