A Connecticut man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an identity theft scheme that defrauded dozens of individuals and businesses in multiple states out of more than $1 million.
Elvis Perez, also known as “Pops,” 60, of Bridgeport, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Perez previously pleaded guilty on June 11 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Court records show that Perez was involved in “a multi-state identity theft scheme led by his son-in-law, Tyshon Walker, and his daughter and Walker’s spouse, Stephanie Perez.”
Starting in September 2020, Walker reportedly stole personal information from Connecticut residents and other states and used it to apply for loans for motorcycles, an all-terrain vehicle and other performance vehicles at dealerships in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Rhode Island, according to court records.
After the dealership approved the loans, Walker reportedly sent “runners,” including Elvis Perez, to pick up the vehicles using a fictitious driver’s license using the victim’s information and a photograph of the “runner,” court records show. The vehicle was then transported back to Connecticut for resale on Facebook Marketplace, according to court records.
“Perez travelled to at least four different car dealerships and stole at least four different vehicles as part of this scheme,” officials said. Walker would then paid him for his work, according to officials.
Perez’s criminal history includes 12 felony convictions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He has been detained since his arrest on July 19, 2023.
Walker and Stephanie Perez have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
