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Seven Sentenced in Credit Card Scheme At Wrigley Field, City Restaurants

By Emily Morris | April 17, 2013 2:27pm
 Seven Chicago residents were sentenced in Cook County Criminal Court for an I.D. theft scheme that targeted customers at restaurants and Wrigley Field.
Seven Chicago residents were sentenced in Cook County Criminal Court for an I.D. theft scheme that targeted customers at restaurants and Wrigley Field.
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Getty Images/Joe Raedle (File)

CHICAGO — Seven Chicago residents have been sentenced in Cook County Criminal Court for an I.D. theft scheme that targeted customers at restaurants and Wrigley Field, Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a statement Wednesday.

All seven pleaded guilty, according to Madigan's office. They were charged in late April 2012.

Joseph Woods, 33, masterminded the plan by paying the others — who were employees at Wrigley Field, RL Restaurant on the Magnificent Mile, a Taco Bell in the city and a McDonald's in suburban Berwyn — to "skim" banking information and from customers' credit cards, according to Madigan's statement.

About 175 cards were skimmed by employees using a card reader provided by Woods and William Washington, Madigan's office said. The information was then used by Woods, Washington and Alex Houston to make fake cards and run up purchases of more than $200,000, according to the statement.

Madigan said many major banks were affected and assisted in the investigation.

Woods pleaded guilty to continuing a financial crimes enterprise and was sentenced to five years in prison, Madigan said.

According to Madigan's office:

-- Washington, 31, pleaded guilty to continuing a financial crimes enterprise and was sentenced to six years in prison.  

-- Houston, 23, pleaded guilty to financial institution fraud and was sentenced to three years in prison.

-- Jenette Farrar, 35, and Essence Houston, 29, each pleaded guilty to financial institution fraud and were sentenced to two years of felony probation.

-- Kenyetta Davis, 33, pleaded guilty to identity theft and was sentenced to two years on probation.

-- Britain Woods, 34, pleaded guilty to financial institution fraud and already served 2-1/2 months in jail.