Trio accused of using stolen credit cards to pay to bond out inmates

Three people are facing federal charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and unauthorized access device fraud for allegedly using stolen credit card numbers to pay bonds for inmates, according to a press release from the US Attorney's office.

The 13 count indictment was filed against 36-year-old Gregory Brown and Shakyia Bunch, 30, of Chicago. Jeneva Sutton, 31, of Michigan City, is facing 7 counts of wire fraud, 2 counts of identity theft and one count of unauthorized access device fraud.

Between April and July of 2016, Brown was an inmate at the La Porte County Jail and allegedly told other inmates he would pay their bond amounts if they would repay him, according to court documents.

Bunch, who was employed at a hotel in Illinois, allegedly stole credit card numbers from guests who stayed at the hotel, according to court documents.

Bunch and Sutton allegedly used the internet to wire money using the stolen credit card numbers to pay for the inmates' bonds.

A total of 8 wire transactions were made using four different stolen credit card numbers, reports said.

Sutton allegedly received money or property from inmates or from people associated with the inmates who had been released or wanted to be released, reports said.

Investigators said the defendants used the stolen credit card numbers and the money to obtain a Chrysler 300, according to reports.