A Fayetteville woman was captured and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges on Monday, February 28, 2022, stated a March 7 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to court documents, Erica Andrea Monique Johnson, 27, devised a scheme and artifice to engage in a scheme colloquially known as “card-cracking,” where she made check deposits, often via automated teller machines (ATM), into checking accounts opened using the personal identifying information of unsuspecting victim accountholders.

“After the deposits were made, Johnson made point of sale (‘POS’) purchases and cash withdrawals against the deposit credit to obtain money during the ‘float’ period before the financial institution recognized the fraud,” stated the release.

Court documents allege that between March 2018 and June 2020, Johnson and her coconspirators withdrew and received over $430,000 from the Pentagon Federal Credit Union.

Johnson is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349; bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344; and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A.

She faces a maximum penalty of 240 months in prison if convicted.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Department of Treasury – Office of Inspector General and the Fayetteville Police Department are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes is prosecuting the case.

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