Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Kenneth Cop of the Rutgers University Police Department announced that eight men were charged for their involvement in a credit card fraud scheme with multiple victims, which occurred while the defendants were students at Rutgers University.
The charges stem from an active and continuing investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Rutgers University Police Department.
Following an intensive investigation which began this spring, the defendants were each charged with conspiracy to commit theft by deception in the third degree.
According to authorities, those charged include Kai J. Gray, 21, of Union, New Jersey; Brendan R. Devera, 18, of Totowa, New Jersey; Naijee R. Jones, 18, of Erial, New Jersey; Edwin A. Lopez, 19, of Camden, New Jersey; Kwabena Marfo, 21, of Alexandria, Virginia; Christian C. Onyechi, 19, of West Orange, New Jersey; Syhiem Simmons, 20, of Brooklyn, New York; and Malik Vaccaro-Dixon, 21, of Port Charlotte, Florida.
Officials say Kai J. Gray was also charged with promoting organized street crime in the second degree and money laundering in the third degree.
While Brendan R. Devera was additionally charged with promoting organized street crime in the second degree, money laundering in the third degree, and fraudulent use of credit cards in the third degree.
Police also charged Naijee R. Jones and Christian C. Onyechi with fraudulent use of credit cards in the third degree.
In addition, Edwin A. Lopez, Kwabena Marfo, Syhiem Simmons, and Malik Vaccaro-Dixon have all been charged with money laundering in the third degree and fraudulent use of credit cards in the third degree.
The investigation determined that between April 22nd and May 3rd, the defendants participated in an illegal credit card fraud scheme in which they obtained credit card numbers belonging to others without their consent or authorization, and transferred funds to various RU (Rutgers’s University) Express Accounts for personal use.
According to authorities, Gray is scheduled to appear in court on October 11th before Superior Court Judge Michael A. Toto. Devera is scheduled for a court appearance tomorrow, August 23rd, in Superior Court.
Officials say Dixon, Jones, Lopez, Marfo, Onyechi, and Simmons are scheduled to have their first appearance in Middlesex County Superior Court on September 13th.
The investigation is active and is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Megan Moschberger of the Rutgers University Police Department at (732) 932-7111, or Detective Christopher Van Eerde of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges in this case are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.