In a recent case, a 32-year-old man hailing from New York has admitted to his guilt in stealing over $1 million worth of high-quality audiovisual equipment from various rental companies. These companies include two located in the metro Atlanta area.
Awaiting sentencing, 32-year-old Christopher Marquis Windsor has pleaded guilty in April to federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen goods.
According to the plea agreement reached between Windsor and federal prosecutors, he and other accomplices created bank accounts using false identities and email addresses to embezzle rental equipment worth $1,085,651.84 from victims across the United States. The states affected by this fraudulent scheme include Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
According to reports, equipment was stolen in Washington D.C.
According to the signed plea agreement that was obtained by Michael Seiden of Channel 2, Windsor is obligated to pay restitution to the victims. While the date for sentencing has not been scheduled yet, Windsor is anticipated to receive his sentence later this year.
According to investigators, the criminal operation had been ongoing from November 2017 until October 2022.
It is believed by authorities that Windsor and his crew adopted the guise of customers and proceeded to resell the rented equipment online, making a substantial profit in the process.
According to a report by Channel 2 Action News in 2023, it was discovered that Windsor had been arrested for stealing from two companies located in metro Atlanta, one of which was Music Matters in Peachtree Corners.
During the interview, a victim in Las Vegas shared their experience with Channel 2 Action News.
Forrest Grosz, the owner of Grosz Live Productions, confirmed that his company was not the only one targeted by the cyber attackers. He stated, “I found like 12 other companies that they had hit by the time they hit us. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s all the same people.”
In 2020, the thieves rented equipment worth over $60,000 for a live-streaming event using fake IDs and stolen credit cards. Grosz was able to provide surveillance footage and photographs that depict the robbers in action.
When Grosz discovered his stolen possessions being sold on eBay days later, he sought assistance from the police.
Groz expressed his disappointment, stating that every time he located them in three different states, they failed to follow through. The situation was disheartening for him.
It is anticipated that Windsor will stay in federal custody until he is sentenced later this year.
