United States of America v. Tai Jauna Jones

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Credit Card Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft Charges in Car Rental Scam

Pittsburgh Woman Pleads Guilty to Credit Card Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft Charges in Car Rental Scam

A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.



Tai Jauna Jones, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.



In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Jones, through the dark web, obtained credit card numbers and other personal information of numerous individuals, and then was one of several co-defendants who provided the fraudulently obtained credit card numbers to a manager at a Monroeville car rental location. The manager rented the vehicles knowing that the true owners of the credit card numbers did not authorize the car rentals, renting a total of more than 140 vehicles in this manner to cause losses of more than $500,000.



Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for August 14, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than two years and up to 12 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.



Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.



The United States Secret Service, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jones.