Sweetwater police detective accused of credit card fraud, identity theft

MIAMI – Federal authorities arrested a Sweetwater police detective accused of credit card fraud and identity theft.

William Garcia is charged with use of a counterfeit access device and aggravated identity theft.

Authorities say Garcia participated in a counterfeit credit card scheme in late 2010 through 2011. Garcia's criminal activities reportedly included using his own credit card to make fraudulent credit cards, hiding evidence when a co-conspirator was arrested and ultimately possessing and using counterfeit cards that Garcia claimed had been seized during the course of his duties.

If convicted, Garcia faces a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison for the counterfeit access device violation, and a two year mandatory minimum sentence for the aggravated identity theft violation.