N.Y. man pleads guilty to using counterfeit credit cards at N.C. stores
Erskine Alfonza Spruill, 46, of Roosevelt, N.Y., pleaded guilty to using counterfeit credit cards at dozens of North Carolina businesses in January. He agreed to pay nearly $135,000 in restitution.
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Erskine Alfonza Spruill, 46, of Roosevelt, N.Y., also agreed to pay $134,976.85 in restitution to businesses that lost money. He admitted guilt to charges of using counterfeit devices, possession of counterfeit device-making equipment and aggravated identity theft.
"The use of counterfeit credit cards and identity theft continues to be one of the greatest financial threats we face," U.S. Attorney George Holding said. "And it affects us in such personal ways, being thrown into turmoil by this crime."
A Feb. 19 indictment from a federal grand jury charges that between Jan. 24 and 26, Spruill used credit cards at businesses including:
- Best Buy, Sam Ash and the Guitar Center on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh
- Macy's on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh
- the Travelers Inn on Road Street in Elizabeth City
- Ruby Tuesday, Circuit City and CVS pharmacy in Raleigh.
The indictment alleges that he used identification belonging to someone else at the Guitar Center.
"We look forward to the sentencing in this case as we try to send a message to those who would commit these crimes," Holding said.
Spruill faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on the charge of using a counterfeit device and up to 15 years of imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possession of counterfeit device-making equipment. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, consecutive to any other term.
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