The federal criminal case against two island residents accused of committing identity theft was unsealed in the District Court late Thursday. Benedict Cruz and Melissa Quitugua face multiple charges of fraudulent use of unauthorized access devices, conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false statement.
The two are accused of obtaining other people's credit cards during burglaries and then using the information to defraud several financial institutions on the island. The indictment alleges Cruz and Quitugua proceeded to use the stolen identities to open up credit cards and bank accounts in the names of 7 victims raking in more than $73,000 from the accounts.
Quitugua also faces a false statement charge for allegedly lying to the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority regarding his living arrangements. The two pleaded not guilty during an arraignment hearing on Thursday and are scheduled to go to trial on March 9.
