Boston Police Officer Charged with Access Device Fraud
Adetokunbo Fakeye
A Boston Police officer was charged on Wednesday in connection with purchasing, using, and selling gift cards obtained from the return of stolen merchandise.
Eddie Odney, 38, according to FBI release charged in an Information with one count of access device fraud.
According to the term of the plea agreement also filed on Wednesday, Odney has agreed to plead guilty and resign his position as a Boston Police Officer.
Information has it further that over the course of over a year and a half, Odney purchased approximately $5,000 worth of gift cards that he believed were obtained from the return of stolen merchandise at stores including T.J. Maxx, Macy’s, Whole Foods, and HomeGoods.
Odney paid cash for these cards and used them to make over $1,600 in purchases.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement today.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.