United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California
10/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/21/2024 18:51
Houston Residents Charged With Stealing DoorDash Delivery Workers’ Wages
Press Release
Houston Residents Charged With Stealing DoorDash Delivery Workers' Wages
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California
OAKLAND - A federal grand jury indicted Oluwatobi Otukelu and Evan Edwards on charges of conspiracy and causing damage to a computer in connection with an alleged scheme to steal wages earned by workers of a delivery service, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. Defendant Otukelu made his first appearance in Oakland to face the charges after having previously appeared with Defendant Edwards in federal court in Houston, Tex.
According to the indictment, Otukelu, 25, and Edwards, 24, both of Houston, conspired to carry out a scheme to defraud DoorDash, Inc. (DoorDash) by fraudulently obtaining wages of independent contractors, called "Dashers," who made deliveries for the delivery service. As part of this scheme, the co-conspirators allegedly obtained the personal identifying information of Dasher victims; falsely impersonated the Dasher victims to DoorDash support; took over Dashers' existing online accounts; created new, unauthorized accounts using Dashers' personal information; and directed payments of Dasher wages from DoorDash to accounts controlled by Otukelu and Edwards. The indictment further alleges that the defendants used the stolen funds to pay for and attempt to pay for goods and services, including vehicles, airline tickets, cosmetic procedures, and personal training. The indictment alleges that Otukelu and Edwards stole the DoorDash wages of at least 138 individual Dashers, amounting to over $1 million.
Otukelu and Edwards were arrested in Houston on Sept. 26, 2024, and made their initial appearances in Houston the same day. Defendant Otukelu was ordered detained pending trial. Defendant Edwards was released on a $25,000 bond. Otukelu's next scheduled appearance is at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2024, for status regarding detention before the Hon. Kandis A. Westmore, U.S. Magistrate Judge. Edwards' initial appearance in this District has not yet been scheduled.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face the following maximum penalties:
| CHARGE | STATUTES | MAXIMUM STATUTORY PENALTIES |
| Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud | 18 U.S.C. § 1349 | Twenty years of imprisonment; $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release; $100 special assessment; forfeiture; and restitution |
| Conspiracy | 18 U.S.C. § 371 | Five years of imprisonment, $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release; $100 special assessment; forfeiture; and restitution |
| Causing Damage to a Protected Computer | 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030(a)(5)(A), (c)(4)(A)(i)(I), and (c)(4)(B)(i) | Ten years of imprisonment; $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release; $100 special assessment; forfeiture; and restitution |
However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle J. Kane is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kathy Tat. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Updated October 21, 2024
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