Fresno Career Criminal Sentenced To 11 Years in Prison
Prison Term Ends Crime Spree Involving Credit Card Fraud And Identity Theft

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that late yesterday evening, KEITH DAVID GOODWIN, 31, of Fresno, Calif., was sentenced by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii to 11 years in prison. A jury had previously convicted the defendant of conspiracy, nine counts of credit card fraud, four counts of identity theft, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department.

According to Assistant United States Attorneys Stanley A. Boone and Sheila K. Oberto who prosecuted the case, GOODWIN stole various individuals’ identities, obtained credit in those individuals’ names, purchased good using those credit cards, and sold those items to local contractors. His conduct resulted in a loss of $121,000. GOODWIN was the leader of four or more participants in an extensive scheme that spanned California, Nevada and Utah. He was found guilty of obstruction of justice when he lied at trial regarding his involvement in the identity theft scheme.

GOODWIN acquired individuals’ identities, without their permission, from persons who worked at mortgage companies and a realty office. He then used those identities to file online credit applications with The Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Zales and JC Penny’s, in various locations, primarily in the Fresno area. Using these fraudulently acquired credit card account numbers, he purchased goods at these businesses for thousands of dollars. He frequently patronized The Home Depot, and purchased large quantities of goods and equipment throughout the Central Valley as well as outside California. The evidence at trial showed that GOODWIN then sold the merchandise to local contractors such as Gerald Edwards of Executive Home Repair, Albert Jackson, and others for 50 cents on the dollar. This crime spree occurred from April 2005 to November 2005, except for one interruption when GOODWIN was returned to state prison for a parole violation.

After his release, he continued where he had left off, using others to acquire the personal identities and then purchasing the goods himself and with the assistance of others. On November 11, 2005, GOODWIN was arrested at Wal-Mart in Fresno using a fraudulent identity and attempting to purchase $3,000 in electronic merchandise.

Judge Ishii noted at sentencing that it was clear from GOODWIN ‘s entire history that he is a predator who steals other individuals’ identities and is unable to rehabilitate himself. Judge Ishii noted that “identity theft is a serious crime,” and that “society suffers when predators steal other individuals’ identifications.” Judge Ishii sentenced GOODWIN to 84 months in prison and imposed two consecutive 24-month terms for a total of 48 months on two of the four aggravated identity thefts counts, a total sentence of 11 years.

GOODWIN’s co-defendants, CHRISTOPHER SEALS, 32, and ANTHONY HUNT, 30, both of Fresno, previously pleaded guilty to their involvement in the scheme.

 

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