Final member of fake credit card ring sentenced

McALLEN - A 29-year-old Mexican national is set to spend more than three years in prison for his role in an international fake credit card scheme.

Juan Antonio Gomez, of Veracruz, Vera., received his sentence Thursday during a hearing in federal court. He has already been sentenced to 18 months in state prison for similar charges.

Pharr police arrested Gomez in May 2007 after investigators determined he had purchased Rolex watches, assorted jewelry, tires, trailers and electronic equipment using counterfeit Visa credit cards.

He was detained along with two accomplices - Juan Moron Solis, 37, and Patricia Cruz Alvarez, 23 - both of whom have also pleaded guilty to their role in the scheme

According to court documents, Moron received more than 130 fake cards with accompanying false identification documents from an unidentified man in Veracruz. He then recruited people like Cruz and Gomez to purchase items with the cards and then re-sell them in Mexico.

The total amount of fraudulently purchased merchandise was more than $300,000, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Moron-Solis and Cruz-Alvarez are currently serving prison terms in connection with the crime. All face deportation upon their release.