United States of America v. Rene Arviso Velasquez

St. Louis, Missouri, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Rene Arviso Velasquez, 51, stole purses or bags containing credit cards and then quickly used the cards to buy gift cards or other items. On Aug. 25, 2024, Velasquez stole one victim’s Lululemon belt bag, which was hanging from her seat at a Cottleville, Missouri restaurant. Less than an hour later, Velasquez used her credit card to purchase five Visa gift cards and a pack of salted nuts for $1,031. Later that day, Velasquez stole a different victim’s purse at a Brentwood restaurant and used her credit card to buy $1,445 worth of gift cards. On Nov. 3, 2024, Velasquez stole a woman’s wallet at a St. Peters restaurant and charge five Visa gift cards and a Pepsi for $1,035.

Velasquez stole at least $40,000 from victims in the St. Louis area and across the country.

Velasquez, who has used the names Miguel Antonio Carrasco-Gomez and Henry Diaz, was living in Tarzana, Calif., but is a Chilean national.

Velasquez pleaded guilty in November in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to three counts of access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman prosecuted the case.

The defendant pleaded guilty to counts 1r,2r,3r, and 4r of a six-count Indictment on November 13, 2025. The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the United States Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 75 months. This term consists of a term of 51 months on each of Counts 1, 2 and 3, to run concurrently with each other and 24 months on Count 4. Count 4 is to run consecutive to all other counts. This sentence shall run concurrently to any sentence imposed in Ramsey County, Missouri, under Docket Number 62CR164406. Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant shall be on supervised release for a term of three (3) years. This term consists of a term of three years on each of Counts 1, 2 and 3, one year on Count 4, all such terms to run concurrently. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the defendant shall pay to the United States a special assessment of $400. Restitution in the amount of $40,769.48 and shall be due immediately.