Tahoe man possessing others credits cards, financial info gets max sentence
Record Courier
STATELINE, Nev. — A Lake Tahoe man received the maximum prison sentence of up to four years on Monday after a Douglas County District judge reviewed evidence showing he had several people’s credit cards and personal financial information.
Vincent James Descano, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a credit card without the owner’s permission in December.
Attorney Chad Pace said the case stems from Descano’s drug problems.
“Drugs are at the root of the problem,” Pace said.
Descano has been in custody since he was arrested on Oct. 2, 2021, something he said helped him get sober.
“My time here has been very good for me,” he said. “I’ve cleaned my mind out.”
Prosecutor Erik Levin provided two exhibits in support of his request for the maximum 19-48 months in prison.
Levin entered photographs that showed the large number of credit cards, Social Security numbers and other personal information, along with handwritten instructions on how to use the information to take money.
“This wasn’t someone shoplifting from Walmart,” Levin said. “This was both sophisticated and of great magnitude.”
District Judge Tom Gregory agreed.
“You had a lot of information belonging to other people,” he said.
Descano was given credit for 136 days served in custody.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.