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The individual from Harper Woods, who was charged for utilizing a prosthetic face mask in order to carry out casino robberies, has admitted guilt for wire and identity fraud.
This week, John Christopher Colletti, aged 56, pleaded guilty in federal court for a case in which he is accused of impersonating an elderly man to deceive customers at MGM Grand Detroit and a Kansas tribal casino, resulting in a fraudulent gain of over $125,000.
John Colletti faces up to 20 years in prison at July sentencing
Colletti addressed U.S. District Judge Linda Parker in Detroit and his sentencing is scheduled for July 7.
Colletti could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison for wire fraud, while the identity charge requires a mandatory minimum sentence of two years behind bars.
Acting US Attorney Saima Mohsin praised the FBI agents for their diligent efforts in apprehending Colletti, who went to great extents to conceal his identity while committing identity theft and financial fraud.
Charges included using phony driver’s licenses
Colletti is accused of engaging in identity theft by purchasing personal information online and subsequently creating fake driver’s licenses in order to steal money.
According to the FBI, on May 23, 2019, Colletti was accused of taking $30,000 in a series of 15 withdrawals from MGM Grand patrons.
According to the report, Colletti donned a prosthetic mask, a blue jacket, a dark cap, blue jeans, and sunglasses while carrying out the heist. Subsequently, he made his getaway by taking a cab.
After being dropped off at Pegasus Tavern in Greektown, Detroit, near Greektown Casino-Hotel, Colletti made his way to the bathroom to change. Once done, he discreetly carried his disguise in a black trash bag as he left the premises.
In the spring of 2019, the FBI reported that Colletti had managed to pilfer a total of $98,840 from ten individuals who were patrons of MGM Grand, all within a span of two months.
Former Detroit Police Department Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt told clickondetroit.com that the man believed he was clever and took advantage of other individuals’ funds.
VIP Program allowed cash advances
According to the FBI, Colletti’s victims were participants in a VIP program offered by Global Payments Gaming Services. This program connected their bank accounts to a VIP account, enabling them to obtain cash advances at casino kiosks.
As part of his guilty plea, Colletti is obligated to reimburse Global Payments Gaming Services for the loss and pay a sum of $125,740 to the company.
Colletti made several withdrawals on every trip, while the kiosks were monitored by closed-circuit televisions.
Colletti caught in pandemic’s early days
Last year, Colletti got arrested in Kansas just four days prior to the closure of Detroit casinos due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Mayetta, KS, at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort, Colletti was apprehended by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police.
To avoid the approaching security officers, the man from Harper Woods cleverly escaped by entering the bathroom and abandoning a walker, garments, $11,000 in cash, and two Michigan driver’s licenses.
The licenses displayed modified images of a senior gentleman wearing a mask, while attached sticky notes contained personal details such as the victims’ Social Security and phone numbers.
The prosthetic mask was discovered on the ground near the casino by an FBI K9 deputy.
When Colletti was apprehended, he possessed two additional licenses. Inside his rented vehicle, authorities discovered four prosthetic masks and a straw hat that perfectly resembled the one Colletti had worn at the MGM Grand.
FBI: Colletti had 83 driver’s licenses in all
As indicated by the FBI, the investigation revealed a total of 83 driver’s licenses, 14 insurance cards, six open-water diver certification cards, two Binghamton University staff ID cards, 19 player cards from different casinos (including MGM Grand), and literature on evading law enforcement in criminal activities.
In addition, the investigators discovered a flash drive containing falsified documents, background checks, and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets containing over 1,000 names. The files also included vital banking details and monthly salary summaries.
“The FBI’s Detroit Field Office, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, is determined to hold Colletti accountable for his criminal scheme of stealing the identities of numerous innocent individuals,” stated Waters. He emphasized the seriousness and wide-ranging consequences of identity theft for the victims, and assured that the FBI will diligently pursue justice for anyone involved in such misconduct.
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