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Darien Man Admits To Stealing $57K From US Service Member To Pay For Personal Expenses

A 34-year-old local man admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a United States service member to pay for personal expenses.

U.S. Federal Court in Hartford.

U.S. Federal Court in Hartford.

Photo Credit: File

Darien resident Christopher Teixeira pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud in relation to his theft of more than $57,000 from a former member of the U.S. Navy.

The service member was scheduled to receive a medical severance payment from the Navy in January 2017. 

The victim provided his “MyPay” login and password information to Teixeira, who he trusted with certain financial responsibilities, according to John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Before the victim was set to receive the medical severance payment, Teixeira changed the direct deposit information to a bank account he controlled. DFAS then sent the victim’s $57,255.66 medical several payments to Teixeira’s account, according to authorities.

In an effort to hide his misgivings, Teixeira then logged back into his victim’s MyPay account and reverted the direct deposit information back to the service man’s account.

Teixeira and his victim would later communicate after his severance payment was stolen. Instead of admitting to the theft, Teixeira told the victim that he would assist in finding the money, authorities said.

When the victim indicated he was in need of funds, Teixeira transferred approximately $6,500 to the victim without telling him that he had stolen the money, said authorities.

Durham said Teixeira used the stolen money to pay his own expenses and transferred $25,000 to another person’s account. Teixeira is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 20, when he faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison. He remains released, pending his sentencing.

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