Man Sentenced for Stealing 900 Cell Phones in $330K Scam

A former employee of a Verizon store in Trevose will serve more than two years in prison for stealing more than 900 cellular telephones, handheld devices and accessories and selling the items online for a profit.

James Hopkins, 35, of Telford, will serve 27 months in prison for the fraud. He previously pleaded guilty in federal court to carrying out the scam while working for Verizon.

Hopkins stole $328,517 worth of Verizon Wireless merchandise, which he sold on eBay for a profit of $272,290, according to the Department of Justice.

Hopkins worked as an account executive for Verizon Wireless in Trevose from February through November 2009, according to court documents. During his time there, Hopkins placed numerous orders for Verizon Wireless cellular telephones, handheld devices and accessories in the names of existing Verizon Wireless customers without their knowledge.

After arranging for the merchandise to be shipped to the home of a relative in New Jersey, the defendant manipulated Verizon’s computer database to conceal the fraudulent orders and shipments, according to the Department of Justice.

In addition to the prison term, Hopkins will serve two years of supervised release and must pay $303,623 in restitution.