FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
January 23, 2015
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 2
AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES INDICTMENTS
IN MULTI-STATE CREDIT CARD FRAUD SCHEME
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the arrests yesterday of
two North Alabama men on felony charges in a multi-state credit card fraud scheme. Jonathan
William Sharpton, 31, of Colbert County and Barry Gene Holder, 53, of Lauderdale County were
indicted on charges of first-degree theft of property, fraudulent use of a credit card, identity theft,
and conspiracy to commit identity theft.
Attorney General Strange’s Office presented evidence to an Elmore County grand jury on
January 8 resulting in Sharpton’s and Holder’s indictments**. Specifically, the indictments charge
the two men with:
- One count of first-degree theft of property by knowingly obtaining, by deception,
a credit card valued at more than $2,500 with the intent to deprive the owner of
said property - One count of fraudulent use of a credit card to obtain property or service with the
knowledge that the card was stolen, had been cancelled or revoked, or without
authorization from the owner of such card - One count of identity theft to obtain goods or services through the use of
identifying information of the victim, without authorization, consent, or
permission of the victim, and with the intent to defraud for his own benefit or the
benefit of a third person - One count of conspiracy to commit identity theft in agreement with one or more
persons to obtain goods or services through the use of the credit card number of
the victim without the authorization, consent or permission of the victim, and with
the intent to defraud
If convicted, Sharpton and Holder face a maximum penalty of two to 20 years
imprisonment and fines of up to $30,000 for each of the counts of first-degree theft and identity
theft, which are class B felonies; and one to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $15,000 for
each of the counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and conspiracy to commit identity theft,
which are class C felonies.
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
Sharpton allegedly committed the crimes while he was incarcerated in the Elmore County
Detention Facility. He currently is incarcerated in the Limestone Correctional Facility. Holder is
being held at the Elmore County Jail. No trial date has been set at this time.
No further information about the investigation or about the alleged crimes may be
released at this time.
Attorney General Strange commended those who are handling this case, noting in
particular Assistant Attorney General John Hensley of the Attorney General’s Criminal Trials
Division, Special Agents of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division, and the Sheffield
Police Department.
**An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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