Jasper officer honored for role in multi-state identity theft, fraud investigation

Jasper Police Officer Martin Loya was recognized by the United States Attorney’s office for his work to help stop a group responsible for stealing hundreds of individuals’ identities using skimming devices.

“Some time ago we established awards for truly exceptional work done in the Southern Indiana district,” United States Attorney Josh Minkler said during a brief award ceremony today at the Jasper Police Department.

Loya was presented with the United States Attorney Award with his family, fellow officers, Mayor Terry Seitz and representatives from the Secret Service and FBI in attendance.

Loya spoke briefly crediting the legwork done by his fellow Jasper officers in opening the case up that began in December of 2015.

“Officer (Brent) Duncan, Officer (Grant) Goffinet and Officer (Dave) Berger are the ones that received the original complaint of someone using the fraudulent credit cards,” Loya explained. “They are the ones that hit the streets to begin the investigation.”

The department received information that credit card data had been stolen from a victim who lived in Indianapolis but visited Jasper a year prior. The victim had not lost her credit card but had used it in Jasper at a local gas station.

When the officers ran into a language barrier while investigating the incident, they reached out to Loya to assist. Loya came in on his off-duty time to do so.

Through is efforts, Loya was able to identify Roberto Moner, 30, of Louisville, and Adianez Herrera, 45, Louisville, as the suspects.

During the investigation, Loya obtained surveillance footage from local gas stations and convenient stores showing the pair attempting to use the stolen credit card information. A few days after the original report, police learned that Moner and Herrera were attempting to use the fraudulent credit cards at a Hucks gas station off Hoffman Road in Jasper.

After learning the suspects’ vehicle description, officers located the pair in a nearby Walmart parking lot. A search of the suspect vehicle revealed multiple counterfeit gift cards, which were encoded with stolen information. Further, a search of Herrera’s home revealed credit card skimming devices and several cards that had different information on the front from information embedded on the magnetic strip on the back.

Through the cards and equipment, Loya was able to identify hundreds of victims whose information had been taken by skimming devices.

Officers also recovered gas pump keys that allowed the suspects to install card-skimming devices for the theft of personal information from victims. “They would use the keys to open the panels on the gas pumps,” he explained pointing out it would be very hard to detect. “It was very quick and they were able to put the skimmers in the machine.”

Officer Loya also used his language skills to interpret an interview of both defendants when they were arrested.

He assisted when agents from the FBI came to Jasper and tied the defendants to a much larger identity theft ring operating in the Louisville, Kentucky area.

“If not for the hard work and dedication of Jasper PD officer, Martin Loya, this pair of identity thieves might still be practicing their trade; instead, both are serving 48-month sentences at the Bureau of Prisons,” the citation read.

Moner and Herrera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, possession of counterfeited or unauthorized access devices, conspiracy to produce, use, and traffic in one or more counterfeit access devices, possession of device-making equipment, and aggravated identity theft.

The FBI and Secret Service agents credited Loya for his due diligence in working the case and using his language skills to expand the case to capture several other individuals involved in the illegal activities in Louisville and other areas of the region.

Loya was also presented with a Challenge Coin from Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Sawa for his efforts to close the case.

Sawa explained that it seems these types of criminals target smaller towns and cities because of the sophistication involved in the processes they use to steal information. He posited this may be because they feel the local law enforcement agencies aren’t trained or equipped to deal with this type of crime.

“That didn’t happen here,” he said. “That’s the reason this case was solved. Because of the efforts from Martin and the other officers with the Jasper Police Department.”