Former Boston Police Officer Charged with Access Device Fraud

BOSTON – A former Boston Police officer pleaded guilty today in connection with purchasing and using gift cards obtained from the return of stolen merchandise.

Eddie Odney, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud.  U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for Nov. 3, 2016.  Odney has agreed to resign his position as a Boston Police Officer, effective today.

Over the course of over a year and a half, Odney purchased approximately $5,000 worth of gift cards that he believed were obtained from the return of stolen merchandise at stores including T.J. Maxx, Macy’s, and HomeGoods.  Odney paid cash for these cards and used them to make over $1,600 in purchases.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Superintendent Frank Mancini of the Boston Police Department’s Anti-Corruption Division; made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit.