TEXARKANA — Two men who used a local fireworks business that one of them owned to steal from customers are scheduled to be sentenced in federal court next week.
Mark Bradford, 47, and Markus Thomas McCoy, 37, each pleaded guilty to Count 1 of an eight-count indictment earlier this year. It is likely the government will move to dismiss the remaining seven counts at sentencing.
The men confessed to using credit-card information from customers who patronized Bradford’s business, Spectacular Fireworks, or credit-card slips that were stolen from other businesses to create fraudulent credit and debit charges.
The indictment lists eight transactions in 2008 and 2009 totaling nearly $45,000. Each transaction is listed as a separate count.
Bradford and McCoy are scheduled to appear Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider in the Texarkana division of the Eastern District of Texas.
McCoy was released on a personal-recognizance bond after an appearance March 16 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven.
A detention hearing to determine if Bradford should remain in custody or go free while his case moved forward was scheduled for March 20.
At the hearing, witnesses testified that Bradford had threatened several people, including potential witnesses in his case, with violence and guns.
“At the time of arrest, agents found ammunition in defendant’s desk, indicating his access to a gun,” court documents state.
Bradford was convicted of a felony in the 1980s, so he is prohibited from possessing guns or ammunition.
An FBI agent testified that Bradford’s prior arrests and convictions reveal a history of violent behavior and domestic violence allegations.
Craven ordered Bradford be detained in the interest of community safety.
At sentencing, Bradford and McCoy face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both.
Schneider can order the men to be supervised by federal officials for up to three years after any time in federal prison.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 11/12/2012