| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1997 | 2011-02-23 | Troop B | Organized Crime Ring Members Arrested in Orleans Parish |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP B- NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Date: February 23, 2011 Organized Crime Ring Members Arrested in Orleans Parish Troop B – This morning, troopers with the Louisiana State Police (LSP) Bureau of Investigations assigned to the United States Secret Service Louisiana Electronic & Financial Crimes Task Force and officers from the New Orleans Police Department executed numerous arrest warrants in Orleans Parish. The warrants stemmed from an investigation that began in May 2010, when LSP detectives received information from retail store owners in Jefferson Parish concerning stolen credit and debit cards used as payment for thousands of dollars worth of gift cards and money orders. Through investigation, detectives identified numerous individuals that were operating as an organized group actively engaged in the theft of access devices (credit and debit cards) from victims in the New Orleans French Quarter and Central Business District areas. Detectives identified Eric Noble also known as “Get Rich” (B/M, age 30) of New Orleans, LA, as the organization’s leader. Investigation revealed that Noble was employing numerous women who would steal credit and debit cards from victims. The women would then use the cards at metro area retail stores, purchasing gift cards and money orders. Detectives also believe that this organization was beginning to employ more women in an effort to prey on tourists during the Mardi Gras season. "I was in the city just two weeks ago with Governor Jindal, Chief Serpas and other public safety partners announcing our commitment to the City of New Orleans. I am here to assure you that our enforcement efforts are currently underway on several fronts," said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. "Operation ‘Get Rich’ is just one of many proactive investigations. Whether it's highway safety, violent crime, narcotic activity, or fraud, State Police and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting Louisiana's residents and those visitors to our State during this year's Mardi Gras season." The investigation is on-going and detectives are still tallying the number of victims and they expect more arrests. They also believe that over $250,000 has been used to fraudulently purchase items at numerous area retail stores. A search warrant was issued for a New Orleans residence, 5543 Cherlyn Drive, and evidence of access device fraud was found to include 14 stolen credit cards, 10 gift cards that were fraudulently purchased, 3 handguns and 1 rifle. “This is the type of result you get when you have multi-agency cooperation,” said United States Secret Service Special Agent Brian Rossitto. “The US Secret Service Louisiana Electronic and Financial Crimes Task Force is committed to assisting Governor Jindal, Colonel Edmonson and the citizens of Louisiana in aggressively investigating crimes that involve these types of organizations. We will continue to work with our state and local counterparts and arrest criminals that prey on innocent victims.” The United States Secret Service Louisiana Electronic & Financial Crimes Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement personnel. The common purpose of the task force is the prevention, detection, mitigation and aggressive investigation of attacks on the nation's financial and critical infrastructures. They investigate organized criminal groups involving multiple districts or transnational organizations, use of schemes involving new technology and crimes that significantly impact the economy and community. The law enforcement partnerships that are formed by these task forces allow agencies to combine personnel and more effectively combat crime. Detectives arrested the following individuals: 1) Eric Noble aka “Get Rich” (B/M, age 30) of New Orleans Charges: Access Device Fraud 2) Felicia Charles (B/F, age 35) of New Orleans Charges: Access Device Fraud 3) Jade Harris (B/F, age 27) of New Orleans Charges: Forgery, Attempted Access Device Fraud 4) Temeka Davis (B/F, age 18) of New Orleans Charges: Forgery, Attempted Access Device Fraud Contact Information: Trooper Melissa Matey Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop B Office: (504) 471-2780 melissa.matey@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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