A Bristol man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state identity theft and vehicle fraud operation that resulted in the theft of cars worth over $500,000.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 48-year-old Ryan Testa was involved in a scheme led by Tyshon Walker, who used stolen personal information from residents of Connecticut and other states to fraudulently apply for vehicle loans. Once the loans were approved, Walker would recruit “runners” to retrieve the cars using fake driver’s licenses.
Testa was hired as a runner in early 2023 and used stolen identities to acquire at least nine vehicles from dealerships across Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Rhode Island.
Guilty Plea & Sentencing
On February 27, 2025, Testa pleaded guilty to:
One count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud
One count of aggravated identity theft
As a result, he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the broader identity theft ring, warning residents to safeguard their personal information against fraud.
