Oregon Man to Serve Eight Years for Role in Identity Theft Conspiracy Alfonso Lopez-Ramirez, 28, Ordered to Repay Nearly $200,000 to Victims

PORTLAND, OR—Alfonso Lopez-Ramirez, currently in federal custody in Portland, was sentenced Tuesday to serve a total of eight years in prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud in connection with his participation in a large multi-state fraud and identity theft conspiracy.  Lopez-Ramirez declined to make a statement before the U.S. District Judge James A. Redden pronounced sentence.  At the plea hearing in May, 2008, Lopez-Ramirez admitted that between 2002 and 2007, he and several co-conspirators burglarized commercial properties in numerous western states and stole property including identity information (ID) and credit cards.  The members of the conspiracy would transport the property and ID in interstate commerce and sell or dispose of it.  They also used computers and device-making equipment to make false identification documents and false and counterfeit checks or other monetary instruments. 

The conspirators then used the false ID, credit cards, checks and other documents, without permission or authority, to defraud merchants and banks and obtain cash and merchandise.  The plea agreement indicates that total losses exceed $200,000.  Lopez-Ramirez was ordered to pay restitution of over $199,000 to those victims so far identified in the case.

In January 2008 Lopez-Ramirez pled guilty to Forgery and Burglary in a related investigation Denver, Colorado where he also received an eight year prison sentence.  Judge Mosman ordered the two eight year sentences to be served concurrently.  

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Secret Service, and the Clackamas County Sheriff, assisted by other law enforcement agencies.  The investigation is continuing.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Caldwell prosecuted the case.