Two Romanian nationals unlawfully present in the United States have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a credit card skimming operation targeting grocery stores across Alabama and Mississippi, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced on March 26.
The sentencing highlights law enforcement efforts to combat financial crimes that affect both consumers and businesses. The use of electronic devices to steal personal information poses risks of identity theft and financial loss.
Denis Adelin Ionescu, age 24, received a sentence of 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of device-making equipment. Ioan Victor Stanciu, age 33, was sentenced to 24 months following his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Both men are from Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, law enforcement began investigating after discovering a skimmer device at a grocery store terminal in Ozark, Alabama in March 2025. Investigators identified Ionescu and Stanciu as suspects connected with multiple installations of such devices at retail locations including Dothan, Alexander City, Eufaula, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Mobile, Talladega (all Alabama), and Gulfport (Mississippi). In total, the group placed 23 skimmers at twelve different sites.
Skimmers are used to capture data from credit cards or Electronic Benefit Transfer cards during legitimate transactions. The stolen data was then used by conspirators for unauthorized withdrawals and purchases. Authorities calculated an intended loss nearing $1.8 million; actual known fraudulent transactions totaled just under $51 thousand—the amount ordered as restitution by the court.
A co-conspirator named Marian Catalin Matei has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on May 21.
The investigation involved the United States Secret Service along with local police departments from Bessemer and Ozark. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.
