Auto Repair Shop Owner Sentenced To 10 Years For Identity Theft and Multiple Fraud Schemes

(Norfolk, VA) – Charles E. Perry, Jr., age 46, of Suffolk, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for defrauding customers and suppliers and for stealing and misusing identity information belonging to customers of his “tune and lube” auto repair businesses. Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Perry was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. The court also ordered Perry to pay over $609,000 in restitution to 32 individuals and 30 companies whom he defrauded. As part of his plea agreement, Perry agreed to forfeit to the United States his interest in his Suffolk residence, one custom and two Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a Mercedes-Benz roadster. Perry previously pled guilty on April 15, 2008 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

According to court records, Perry used his auto repair businesses, previously located in Norfolk, Hampton, and Virginia Beach, to conduct assorted, fraudulent criminal activities in violation of federal law. Perry regularly stole the identities and credit card numbers of customers seeking vehicle repairs. He then used this data in various ways. For example, Perry applied for credit card merchant accounts and business cash advances in customers’ names. Perry also used customers’ identities to open dealer accounts with vendors and then ordered parts and supplies for which he never paid. Perry also fraudulently charged customers’ credit card accounts for repairs that were either improperly or never performed.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Robert Krask prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.