HAMMOND, Ind. — A Lafayette man has been sentenced to a prison term and a fine of over $120,000 after pleading guilty to Access Device Fraud on Thursday.
The United States Attorney's Office Northern District of Indiana said 30-year-old Tyrus Veals stole at least $127,667—if not more—from a retired couple out of Arizona. According to their report, he used their debit card info on online gambling accounts that he either owned or controlled, which allowed him to take money out of the victims' accounts and put it into his own.
A police report stated that Veals depleted the couple's retirement fund, one of which had worked 40 years in public service. He then used this money towards vacations and large items.
Veals was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. Following this sentence, he will receive two years of supervised release. Per the report, Veals was also fined $127,667 in restitution, made out to the couple he defrauded.