HOUSTON (CN) - A Texan who led a ring that rang up $1.1 million in fraudulent charges on credit cards with the stolen identities of senior citizens faces up to 32 years in federal prison.
Michael Irving, 33, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Irving ran Majix Studio, a Houston business where he swiped, and let his cohorts swipe, illegally obtained credit cards on his business terminal, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Majix Studio's slogan is "Making Hits Out of Thin Air," according to its Facebook page.
Prosecutors said Irving knew the credit cards had been taken out with stolen identities.
"There were at least 70 victims whose identities had been stolen, all senior citizens between the ages of 70 and 95, living throughout the country," U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson said in a statement.
Irving and company ran the cards for $1,000 to $5,000 until they were maxed out and covered their tracks with receipts for fictitious goods and services, prosecutors said.
The ring stole $1.1 million from Jan. 1, 2013 to Nov. 30, 2013.
Irving faces up to 32 years in prison and a $1 million fine at his May 18 sentencing.
His accomplice, Raymond Goffney, 38, of Houston, pleaded guilty to the same charges and will be sentenced on April 27.
They both are free on bond.
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