Two Indictments Unsealed Following Arrests of Defendants

SACRAMENTO, CA—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that two white-collar crime indictments were unsealed after the arrests of two defendants.

Former Sacramento Business Owner Arrested in Florida 2:11-cr-183-KJM

Carlos B. Jerez, 34, formerly of Sacramento and the owner of the Sacramento-based business “1st Class Mobility,” was arrested today by federal agents after a grand jury in April returned a 16-count indictment charging him with fraud.

According to the indictment, Jerez advertised medical mobility products such as motorized wheelchairs and scooters and accepted payment without the ability to deliver the products. The indictment alleges that Jerez made false representations about shipping delays, the availability of refunds, and the status of missing orders. He was arrested today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Broward County, Fla., and appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow. He is being held in South Florida until the conditions of his transfer to Sacramento are finalized.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center

Persons who believe they have been victims of fraud by Carlos Jerez or 1st Class Mobility may contact the Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force at 916-874-3002 and ask to speak with Detective D.T. Brown.

Vallejo Man Arrested on Bank Fraud Charges2:11-cr-00216-MCE

On May 12, 2011, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Deshawn A. Ray, 38, of Vallejo, with bank fraud and identity theft. According to the indictment, Ray established fraudulent bank accounts in the name of another bank customer and made more than $150,000 in unauthorized electronic transfers before withdrawing the money in cash at branches in Vallejo, Benicia, and other locations.

Ray was arrested on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty at arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Dale A. Drozd. His next court hearing is before United States District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the United States Secret Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Morris is prosecuting both cases. The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Ray faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Jerez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.