Former Wilmington hotel employee pleads guilty to 57 charges in identity theft cases

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A former front desk employee at two downtown Wilmington hotels has pleaded guilty to 57 charges stemming from identity theft and financial crimes involving hotel guests.

Kevin Jamar Wright, 40, pleaded guilty Friday in New Hanover County Superior Court to two counts of aggravated identity theft, 44 counts of identity theft, two counts of financial card theft, one count of possession or manufacture of fraudulent identification and eight counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, according to the New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said Wright previously served time for theft, fraud and related offenses before being released from prison in September 2022.

Within two months of his release, prosecutors said Wright was hired as a front desk employee at the Hampton Inn in downtown Wilmington. While working there, prosecutors said he took copies of credit card authorization forms containing guests’ credit card and driver’s license information.

According to the district attorney’s office, Wright used some of the credit card information for personal expenses, including an apartment deposit, a hotel room and bond for a friend in another criminal case.

When Wright was arrested in December 2022, prosecutors said an officer found two three-ring binders containing Hampton Inn credit card authorization forms and copies of credit cards and driver’s licenses belonging to more than 80 hotel guests. Some of the information came from guests at Hampton Inn locations in Wilmington and Raleigh, according to the release.

Wright later posted bond while awaiting trial and was hired for a front desk position at the Arrive Hotel in Wilmington, prosecutors said.

The district attorney’s office said Wright then photographed guests’ credit cards and driver’s licenses with his cellphone and used credit card information for purchases including furniture, a washer and dryer, a U-Haul rental, hotel stays and food, as well as car insurance and utility payments.

When Wright was arrested again in June 2023, prosecutors said his cellphone contained personal information belonging to approximately 38 victims.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Kent Harrell sentenced Wright as a habitual felon to between 117 and 153 months in prison, or roughly nine years and nine months to 12 years and nine months.

Wright also received an additional suspended sentence of 33 to 49 months that could be imposed if he violates probation following his prison term.

“The financial crimes perpetrated by this defendant affected dozens of individuals from around the country who were visiting our city,” District Attorney Jason W. Smith said. “If your criminal activity has become a career, then we will seek lengthy prison sentences.”