Two Charged with Stealing Government Property, Identity Theft

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a Minneapolis couple was indicted in connection with stealing government property and using stolen credit cards to purchase merchandise. Milton Carlton Rucker, Jr., age 38, and Tania Marie Thompson, age 35, were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. In addition, Rucker was charged with one count of theft of government property.

The indictment alleges that on July 22, 2011, Rucker stole items of value from the United States. It also alleges that the defendants unlawfully used the identification of another person in an effort to obtain money from a financial institution and merchandise from retail stores. Specifically, the defendants allegedly conspired to break into parked cars to steal credit cards and other financial items, along with personal identification information. Then, they reportedly used those items and the identification to obtain money from financial institutions and purchase merchandise from retail stores.

A law enforcement affidavit filed in the case states that on July 22, 2011, a vehicle owned by a FBI agent was broken into at 4:40 p.m., and a duffel bag containing a pistol and a badge, along with credentials, personal credit cards, a watch, and other items was stolen. Within the next hour, one of the stolen credit cards was reportedly used at a gas station and an attempted use of the card was reported by a local Target store. Through video surveillance at both businesses, authorities were able to track down a Buick Century sedan possibly tied to the suspect. The car was parked in the driveway of a Minneapolis residence. Inside the residence, officers found and arrested Milton Rucker and Tania Thompson, who also is known as Tania Marie Carson. During the execution of a search warrant at the residence and in the Buick, police recovered the FBI agent’s watch as well as stolen credit cards and other stolen items. They also recovered clothing that matched what was worn by the suspect who had used the agent’s stolen credit card. Authorities later recovered the agent’s credentials and gun.

If convicted, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for conspiracy and a mandatory minimum penalty of two years for aggravated identity theft. In addition, Rucker faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years for theft of government property. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Brooklyn Park Police Department, the Bloomington Police Department and the Minneapolis Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura M. Provinzino.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.