MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Two Florida men have been charged in Codington County after investigators say they were involved in a multi-state credit card fraud scheme spanning Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The arrests followed reports of thefts and fraudulent activity at Walmart stores in Sioux City, South Sioux City, Sioux Falls, and Brookings on Oct. 28 and 29.
According to the Codington County State’s Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies in Watertown and Brookings were alerted on Oct. 29 to suspects fleeing from a jurisdiction south of Codington County. A vehicle description was broadcast to area agencies, and Codington County deputies and the South Dakota Highway Patrol located and stopped the vehicle shortly after.
The two occupants were detained and later identified as the same individuals reported by Brookings police as suspects in a credit card fraud incident at the Brookings Walmart.
Authorities say items in plain view inside the vehicle included multiple credit cards, identity documents, two cellphones, and a computer case. A subsequent search revealed more than 300 credit cards, 11 credit card skimmers numbered one through twelve (with number four unaccounted for), a credit card reader and writer, and several homemade USB magnetic strip devices.
The suspects — identified as Yordany Cuervo and Dario Brito Permuy, both Cuban nationals living in Florida with valid green cards — face 66 counts of forgery in Codington County. All credit cards, skimmers, and related equipment were seized as evidence.
Cuervo was released Monday on a $25,000 bond. Permuy remained in custody as of Wednesday. Both have entered not guilty pleas, and a jury trial is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 12.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.