A federal grand jury indicted a Birmingham man on three counts of financial access-device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. The indictment was announced on November 1.
The indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges that Manuel Chaney III, also known as “Trey,” possessed more than 15 account numbers and used them to conduct transactions totaling more than $1,000 between January 2010 and November 2010. It also charges that Chaney transferred, possessed, or used Social Security numbers and bank account numbers of a dozen people in relation to his crimes. The indictment does not indicate how or where Chaney allegedly obtained the identity information.
If convicted, Chaney faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on two of the access-device fraud counts. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the third fraud charge. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory prison term of two years.
The web site for TManic Records lists Chaney as President and CEO and describes him as:
… an aspiring Producer and entrepreneur from Birmingham, AL. He is an honors graduate from Shades Valley High and a dual degree holder from University of Alabama Birmingham, where he studied Fitness Leadership and Exercise Science.
Currently the Founder & CEO of TMANIC Records/ TMANIC Recording Studio & Kharisma Modeling Agency. Trey devotes much of his time to industry research while heading all business operations of TMANIC and Kharisma. In spite of his recent accomplishments. Trey is also dedicated to serving the community by serving as little league coach for the YMCA of Birmingham and the audio/ visual engineer at C.B.F. Ministries International.
Trey’s Motto: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Whether the alleged crimes have anything to do with Chaney’s business was not indicated in the indictment and may be unrelated. As a reminder, an indictment is not a conviction.
Chaney will be arraigned on November 15.