Identity Thief Who Took Day Trips Sentenced to Longer Prison Term

Demmon Chadwick Jenkins, a day-tripping visitor, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for going on a $20,000 Main Street shopping spree with someone else’s credit card. According to the prosecutor, this incident in June 2022 was just one of many similar swindles carried out by the defendant. Jenkins used a credit card he purchased on the dark web for $15 to buy a diamond necklace and a second-hand Rolex watch, which he failed to declare while attempting to board a flight to the U.S. mainland the next day. Customs officers discovered the undeclared merchandise in his carry-on bag at the Cyril E. King Airport.

The affidavit filed in the case by Homeland Security Investigations outlined the details of Jenkins’ offense, noting that he did not disclose the purchases of the jewelry on his Customs and Border Protection Declaration. The specific store where the offense occurred was not initially named in the report. Jenkins was initially charged with three federal offenses, but ultimately pleaded guilty to a single count of aggravated identity theft on October 23, 2023. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard Potter stated in court that the defendant had a history of engaging in similar criminal activities repeatedly.

Prosecutors recommended a mandatory two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft in their presentencing report. Presiding Judge Robert Molloy followed this recommendation and sentenced Jenkins to 24 months in federal prison, along with an additional year of supervised release. The prosecution emphasized Jenkins’ pattern of committing fraudulent acts and using stolen credit cards for personal gain. The defendant’s failure to declare the purchases made with the stolen credit card at the airport highlighted the intentional and deceitful nature of his actions.

The seriousness of Jenkins’ crime was underscored by the significant amount of money involved in the unauthorized shopping spree on Main Street. The expensive items purchased with the stolen credit card, including a diamond necklace and a Rolex watch, demonstrated the defendant’s disregard for the law and his willingness to engage in fraudulent activities. The fact that Jenkins had a history of similar offenses further supported the prosecution’s argument for a substantial prison sentence to deter future criminal behavior.

Jenkins’ decision to use a credit card purchased on the dark web for a minimal amount to make high-end purchases reflected a calculated and premeditated effort to defraud the rightful cardholder. The subsequent attempt to evade detection by failing to declare the jewelry at the airport indicated a deliberate intent to deceive law enforcement officials. By sentencing Jenkins to federal prison, Judge Molloy sent a clear message that identity theft and fraudulent financial transactions carry severe consequences. The two-year prison term and additional year of supervised release imposed on the defendant underscored the gravity of his criminal actions and served as a warning to others contemplating similar fraudulent schemes.