Posted on: Friday, August 27, 2004

Two plead not guilty to theft charges

Advertiser Staff

A Honolulu couple pleaded not guilty yesterday to federal charges involving theft through the Internet, credit-card fraud and copyright violations.

Abraham Martin, 58, and Anna Martin, 48, were charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, access device fraud, mail theft and copyright infringement.

Abraham Martin is accused of using personal information obtained from automobile break-ins and mail theft to open credit accounts in the victims' names, then purchasing computers and electronic equipment through the Internet.

He and his wife also are charged with using stolen credit card "access checks" to pay for personal expenses and business expenses of Anna's Jewelry, her business on King Street in Chinatown.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Shipley said about $97,000 was lost because of their fraud.

In addition, the Martins are accused of making unauthorized copies of movies and television programs that were rented to customers of Tan Tien Video, their Chinatown business, also on King Street.

The indictment said law-enforcement agents found 177 video cassette recorders and thousands of blank video cassettes at their home.

The U.S. attorney's office said the indictment was one of many nationwide aimed at cracking down on Internet-based fraud and identity thefts.

Federal Magistrate Barry Kurren set the trial for the Martins for the week of Oct. 26.