Mpls. man sentenced for theft, use of credit cards

Article by: STAFF REPORT
Updated: August 2, 2012 - 9:23 PM

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A 39-year-old Minneapolis man was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Minneapolis to 17 years in prison for using stolen credit cards, including one belonging to an FBI agent, to get cash and make purchases.

U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz sentenced Milton Carlton Rucker Jr. for one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of aggravated identity theft. Rucker was charged last October and convicted in February after a jury trial.

Evidence presented at trial proved Rucker conspired to break into cars to steal credit cards and the IDs of others to be used in fraudulently obtaining money from financial institutions and merchandise from retailers. On July 22, 2011, Rucker broke into a vehicle owned by an FBI agent and stole a duffel bag that contained the agent's duty weapon and badge, as well as his credentials, personal credit cards, a watch and other items of value. Within an hour, one of the stolen credit cards was used at a gas station and an attempt had been made to use it at a local Target store.

Aided by video surveillance from both businesses, authorities tracked down the vehicle tied to the crime. It was in the driveway of a Minneapolis residence. Inside the residence, officers found and arrested Rucker and Tania Marie Thompson. During execution of a search warrant on the vehicle and at the residence, police discovered the FBI agent's watch and credit cards, along with other items. They also found clothing that matched the clothing worn by the crime suspect. Authorities later recovered the agent's credentials and gun. Because he is a felon, Rucker is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time. However, on July 22, 2011, he possessed the handgun he stole from the FBI agent's car.