Tampa twin brothers were convicted Wednesday of stealing people's identities using gas pump skimmers, the U.S. Attorney's Office said today.
Noel Graveran-Palacios and Yoel Graveran-Palacios, 37, are scheduled to be sentenced on July 20.
They were found guilty of conspiracy, credit card fraud, and aggravated identity theft. They face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy count, 10 years’ imprisonment for each credit card fraud count, and a consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count.
According to the attorney's office, the brothers placed gas skimmers throughout the Tampa Bay area, then used the stolen information to make counterfeit credit cards. They used the cards to buy gas, toys, clothes, and gift cards.
They took the gift cards and bought items at home improvement stores, then returned the items for cash, officials said.
While the jurors were deliberating the case, officials say the brothers fled the area, but they were captured in Texas near the Mexican border.
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