Lasean C. Harps, aka Antoine Taylor, aka Mark Mobley, aka Sean Harps aka Sean Carter aka Sean Harris, 37, of Jersey City, was arrested on Friday on charges of second-degree theft by deception, second-degree impersonation & theft of identity, and third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card.

“Mr. Harps allegedly racked up tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise on what he believed would be someone else’s dime,” Attorney General Chiesa said. “The charges brought today by the Division of Criminal Justice are the first step in making sure that this defendant is brought to justice and held accountable for his alleged crime.”

The state alleges that between September 20, 2012 and Feb. 1, 2013, Harps used his alias of “Antoine Taylor” to present a fraudulently obtained Chase Bank Visa credit card to illegally make purchases to which he was not entitled. Harps allegedly utilized this scheme at 38 locations throughout New Jersey – including Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic and Union Counties - and at least one location in New York City. Liquor stores, auto repair shops and furniture stores were amongst the locations where Harps allegedly used the fraudulently obtained credit card.

Also Friday, the Division of Criminal Justice charged Harps’ girlfriend, Courtney M. Wilson, 31, of Jersey City via complaint-summons with third-degree tampering with a public record or information and third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution. It is alleged that Wilson provided New Jersey State Police detectives with false information in an effort hinder the investigation into Harps’ alleged crimes.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Because the charges are indictable offenses, they will be presented to a state grand jury for potential indictment. The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000 while third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a crime of up to $15,000.

Deputy Attorney General Marysol Rosero of the Division of Criminal Justice and New Jersey State Police Detective Mark Smith coordinated the investigation. Attorney General Chiesa thanked the Fieldsboro Police Department for referring the matter to the New Jersey State Police.
 
Attorney General Chiesa and Director Stephen J. Taylor noted that the Division of Criminal Justice has a confidential, toll-free tipline for the public to report financial fraud, corruption and other illegal activities: 1-866-TIPS-4CJ. The public also can log on to the Division Web site at www.njdcj.org to report suspected wrongdoing confidentially.

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