WORCESTER – A local man pleaded guilty on Wednesday, July 21, to charges related to using stolen identities for fraudulent purchases of MBTA passes.
Kokou Kuakumensah, 31, of Worcester, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft in federal, district court.
Law enforcement arrested Kuakumensah on January 13.
According to federal prosecutors, Kuakumensah purchased commuter rail passes using stolen credit card numbers at MBTA fare kiosks.
Kuakumensah later sold the passes in several ways, including by advertising on Craigslist and in-person at MBTA stations including in Grafton.
Prosecutors say the combined value of the passes that Kuakumensah fraudulently obtained was approximately $157,000.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentenced imposed.
The judge scheduled sentencing for November 10.
