No verdict after 2 days of jury deliberations in federal fraud trial

SPRINGFIELD — Jurors on Tuesday failed to return a verdict in a federal fraud case after nearly two days of deliberations.
Steven Hayes Jr., of Illinois, is among defendants charged in a widespread credit card fraud scheme involving prominent rap artists and various business associates. He is the only one who has opted to go to trial.
He is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and aiding and abetting. During the weeklong trial in U.S. District Court, prosecutors painted for jurors a picture of a hungry group of emerging artists and associates who allegedly worked together to build an elite lifestyle.
Their purchases — including $10,000 designer puppies, private jet charters, Caribbean vacations, limousines and car services — were procured with stolen credit card information gleaned from the dark web, according to the government. Once consumers spotted the charges, credit card companies reversed them and businesses were left holding the bag.
Hayes’ defense attorney contends he was a young man who was himself duped by sophisticated fraudsters and was not complicit in the scheme.
Jurors will resume deliberations on Wednesday.