(WNY News Now) – Buffalo – A North Tonawanda man has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a sophisticated gas theft scheme that defrauded victims of nearly $200,000.
Kingsley Brown, 22, of North Tonawanda, NY, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., could result in a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, Brown, along with co-defendant Cross Malik Williams, engaged in a year-long operation from August 2022 to July 2023, purchasing approximately 570 stolen bank cards from online marketplaces. These stolen card numbers were transferred onto blank plastic cards using a card-making device, enabling the duo to purchase large quantities of gasoline using funds from the victims’ bank accounts.
The stolen bank card information was then used to buy gas, which Brown and Williams resold at discounted rates, effectively laundering the stolen funds. As part of his plea agreement, Brown acknowledged his responsibility for $192,673 in losses.
Brown’s sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2024, before Judge Sinatra. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
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