United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, June 26, 2006, that Daniel J. Goodson, III, a resident of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of making counterfeit securities and wire fraud.
Goodson, age 31, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to two counts of an information and one count of an indictment before Chief United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull advised the court that Goodson worked for Eckerd Drug as a customer service representative. He took drug orders over the phone from customers. In this capacity, he was able to get information about customer debit and credit cards. He stole the debit and credit card information of 16 customers and used them to orchestrate a scheme to defraud using the internet and PayPal, Inc. He used the customers' information to open fraudulent PayPal, Inc. accounts in the names of the customers and run fraudulent sales to his business through them. His scheme resulted in a loss to PayPal, Inc. of $12,994.46.
Goodson made and uttered 15 counterfeit checks bearing the logos and markings of Eckerd and Eckerd Credit Union at 3 area banks. The losses from the fraud were approximately $18,903.67.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for September 29, 2006 at 9:30 am. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, The United States Postal Inspection Service, New Kensington Police Department and Forward Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Goodson.
