New York Resident Indicted in Florida for Multi-State Identity Theft and Counterfeit Access Device Conspiracy

Dustin Lemmon Carpio faces federal charges in Pensacola for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, false passport use, and aggravated identity theft.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 11:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida

Federal Arraignment in the Northern District of Florida

Dustin Lemmon Carpio, a 33-year-old resident of New York City, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon this week following a federal indictment. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a sophisticated fraud ring operating within the Northern District of Florida. Carpio faces a litany of federal counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, use of a counterfeit access device, and possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices. The arraignment in Pensacola marks the beginning of formal judicial proceedings for a case that spans multiple jurisdictions.

Allegations of Passport Fraud and Identity Theft

In addition to financial fraud charges, the indictment specifically accuses Carpio of the use of a false passport and aggravated identity theft. These charges suggest a level of operational complexity often associated with organized rings that utilize stolen credentials to bypass banking and governmental security measures. Federal prosecutors allege that the unauthorized access devices found in Carpio's possession were intended for fraudulent transactions, supported by the use of forged international travel documents to mask his true identity.

Law Enforcement Coordination and Investigative Effort

The indictment is the result of a collaborative investigation between the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. This partnership highlights the international and local intersection of the case, as the Diplomatic Security Service typically investigates crimes involving passport integrity, while local sheriff's deputies often handle the initial recovery of counterfeit financial instruments. Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes has been assigned to lead the prosecution on behalf of the government.