New Orleans Man Sentenced to 50 Months in Federal Prison for Fraud in Obtaining Automobiles

STEVEN R. HANSEN, age 53, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to over four years’ (50 months’) imprisonment for four counts of wire fraud and one count of misuse of the Social Security Number of another, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Zainey imposed five (5) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.

According to court documents, on July 21, 2009, HANSEN entered a guilty plea before Judge Zainey admitting that he fraudulently attempted to lease vehicles from several sources in 2004. HANSEN admitted that he unsuccessfully attempted to lease vehicles through an Internet source serving business lessees. Additionally HANSEN admitted that he was approved, as a result of a business credit application to lease/purchase two BMW automobiles from a Baton Rouge dealership, using the identity and Social Security number of another person. HANSEN’s attempt to gain possession of the vehicles was foiled when an employee of the business alerted the dealership of the fraud.

The Court imposed a sentence within the recommended guidelines range. After sentencing, HANSEN was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service to begin his term of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Gordon Sanders.