Eastern District of Oklahoma

FOR RELEASE: December 19, 2007

CONTACT: Sheldon J. Sperling
                (918)684-5100

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that LESLIE THEODORE RICH, age 32, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Fraud in Connection with Access Devices, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 371.

"Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service and the Ardmore Police Department. On September 26, 2007, the Ardmore Police Department received a call reporting an individual attempting to use an invalid credit card at the Wal-Mart, located on Commerce Street. As a result of that call an investigation was initiated and a conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with access devices was discovered based out of the Dallas area," stated U.S. Attorney Sperling.

"Beginning around September 20, and continuing through September 27, 2007, RICH, co-defendant Tabbatha Jane Bretz, and co-defendant Chance Wayne Singleton, together, and with others combined, conspired, to confederate and agree among themselves and each others to commit fraud and related activity in connection with access devices. As a part of the conspiracy the defendants used and possessed counterfeit access devices, device-making equipment and a scanning receiver. In furtherance of the conspiracy the defendants obtained valid credit card numbers, obtained the necessary equipment to manufacture counterfeit credit cards, then manufactured counterfeit credit cards and made purchases with them," U.S. Attorney Sperling continued.

"The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the defendant's guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. The defendant remains in the custody of the United States Marshal Service."

Co-defendants, Tabbatha Jane Bretz and Chance Wayne Singleton have previously plead guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

"The statutory range of punishment is up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000.00 in fines," stated U.S. Attorney Sperling.