Illinois Man Sentenced in Pittsburgh to 4 Years for Aggravated ID Theft Scheme Involving High-End Vehicles

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of the state of Illinois has been sentenced in federal court to four years in prison on his conviction of Aggravated Identity Theft and Conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Michael W. Decker, 33, of Vernon Hills, IL.

According to information presented to the court, Decker submitted fraudulent applications for loans to purchase several expensive vehicles, including two Jeep Cherokee Trackhawks, from dealerships in Western Pennsylvania. Decker was part of a conspiracy based in Chicago. The members of the conspiracy travelled to dealerships in several states and used stolen identity information to obtain loans for high-end vehicles. After obtaining the vehicles, members of the conspiracy would alter the Vehicles Identification Numbers and sell the vehicles..

Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police Western Regional Auto Theft Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Decker.