Chicago Man Admits Stealing More Than $1M In iPhones, iPads

NEWARK, N.J. (STMW) -- A Chicago man admitted Tuesday that he stole more than $1 million worth of iPhones and iPads through an elaborate fraud scheme targeting Verizon Wireless customers.

Stephen Gunn, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Claire Cecchi in federal court in Newark, N.J., according to the FBI.

Authorities allege Gunn stole about 1,700 products worth more than $1 million, including several hundred iPhones, iPads, Blackberrys, and Motorola phones.

Gunn accessed the online accounts of dozens of Verizon Wireless customers and used them to place orders for electronics, which he had shipped via FedEx to Texas, including several addresses that did not exist, according to a statement from the FBI.

Two FedEx drivers who Gunn paid "thousands of dollars each" then intercepted the shipments, took the packages and reshipped the contents to Gunn in Illinois, according to the FBI.

Gunn will be sentenced July 15 and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the FBI.