US lawman accused of digital fraud


A deputy US marshal has been charged with abusing his position to access online records that allowed him to track the location of former “personal” associates.

Adrian Pena, 48, of Del Rio, Texas, allegedly uploaded fraudulent law enforcement documents to the Securus system normally reserved for police work. This allowed him to track “individuals with whom he was or had been in a personal relationship.” His subterfuge apparently also extended to their spouses, whom he traced as well.

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As vague as the circumstances of the alleged crime might sound, Pena potentially faces many years in prison if convicted of falsifying records and obtaining confidential personal information – each of the 11 counts of the latter offense with which he has been charged carries a sentence of up to ten years.

“After this activity became known to law enforcement, Pena lied to law enforcement officials about his use of the Securus service for personal reasons,” said the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is investigating the case.

Pena also allegedly cajoled one of his victims into signing a false affidavit swearing that he or she had “given Pena unlimited access to all of that individual’s personal cell phone information at all times.”

The DOJ has not specified when Pena’s case will be heard in court.