Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud Conspiracy

Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud Conspiracy

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Christopher Alexander Jr., age 21, of Syracuse, New York, and Devin Latrell Coleman, age 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, have been sentenced in federal court in Syracuse respectively to 40 months and 36 months in prison for creating and using stolen identities to commit fraud.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. This case is part of the Department of Justice's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

In pleading guilty previously to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, the defendants admitted that Alexander purchased fraudulent identification documents, including driver's licenses, passport cards, and Social Security cards, from Coleman. Alexander used these fraudulent identification documents, some of which bore his image alongside the personal identifying information of identity theft victims, to commit fraud by obtaining bank loans, lines of credit, and even an apartment lease, among other things. In communicating with Coleman through an encrypted messaging application, Alexander identified himself with the handle, "9-5 will be my last resort." Coleman coached Alexander on how to use the fraudulent identification documents, which were sophisticated enough to contain security features, to commit fraud.

Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby sentenced Alexander to a total term of 40 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $30,500 in restitution to various victims and to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $15,000, and he sentenced Coleman to a total term of 36 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised released, and ordered him to pay $15,000 in restitution, jointly and severally with Alexander.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, "The greed of these defendant's has landed them in federal prison. With a renewed focus on weeding out fraud in our society, we will pursue all leads and investigate all individuals who attempt to defraud the system. I thank our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigations for their efforts. Together, under the leadership of the Department of Justice Fraud Division, residents in the Northern District can look forward to more successful prosecutions of defendants like Mr. Alexander and Mr. Coleman who seek to defraud the system for their personal gain."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated, "As Mr. Alexander and Mr. Coleman head to federal prison for their deception and fraud, FBI Albany will continue to work with our partners on the Northern District of New York Healthcare Fraud Task Force to aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone trying to defraud our systems and line their pockets at the expense of hardworking Americans."

FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted the case.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs