FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A Fort Walton Beach man has pleaded guilty to federal fraud and identity theft charges after he was said to have photographed customers’ credit and debit cards while working at a Destin fast food restaurant, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida announced.
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Marcus Bernard Clark, 31, pleaded guilty to fraudulent use of 15 or more access devices and aggravated identity theft, according to U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin.
“This fraudster exploited his access to customers’ credit and debit card information to try to enrich himself at their expense,” said Mr Heekin.
“Thanks to the excellent investigative work by our state law enforcement partners and this successful prosecution by my office, federal prison awaits him.”
According to court documents, Clark was said to have worked at a Wendy’s restaurant in Destin during September and October 2022.
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During a judicially authorized extraction of his cell phone in connection with another criminal case, investigators reportedly discovered more than 200 photographs and short videos showing different individuals’ credit and debit cards.
Authorities said the images were taken while Mr Clark was working at the restaurant. None of the victims reportedly gave permission for their bank cards, which contained their names and card numbers, to be photographed.
Clark faces up to 10 years in prison for the access device fraud charge.
He also faces a mandatory additional two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting it.
Mr Clark is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16, 2026, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
