Feds Nab International Fugitive Who Hails From Riverside County

RIVERSIDE, CA — A Riverside man who became an international fugitive for several years after being charged with taking part in a multi-state credit and debit card scam was in custody on the East Coast Sunday without bail after pleading not guilty.

Jose Salazar, 44, and his accomplices were accused of installing fraudulent point-of-sale terminals at about 80 Michaels arts-and-crafts stores in 19 states in 2011, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors alleged he recruited the other members of a fraud ring, which stole about 94,000 debit and credit card numbers from the terminals.

The group used the fake machines to acquire victims' bank account information and personal identification number, allowing them to create counterfeit credit and debit cards that were used to illegally withdraw cash, prosecutors said.

They allegedly stole more than $420,000 from financial institutions and attempted to obtain at least $129,000 more.

Salazar fled to Mexico after he was indicted in 2015 but was arrested in Mexico City in September, authorities said.

He pleaded not guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges during his first court appearance on Thursday in New Jersey, where he appeared via video conference, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The conspiracy count carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a $1 million fine.

Two others have pleaded guilty to participating in the racket. Angel Angulo was sentenced in 2018 to three years in prison and ordered to pay $480,300 in restitution. Crystal Banuelos was sentenced to time served and five years probation.

—City News Service