Guard at RI Hospital pleads guilty

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A former security guard at Rhode Island Hospital has admitted stealing personal information from patients and job applicants, then using it to open cell phone and charge accounts.

Michael Bermudez pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit credit card fraud, trafficking in unauthorized or counterfeit devices and aggravated identify theft. He will be sentenced in October.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Bermudez worked at the hospital from April 2006 to February 2008. Prosecutors say he stole personal information from people, then used it to open accounts with Sprint and RadioShack.

After getting cell phones, the defendant sold them for about $150 each. His defense attorney, Thomas Connors, said he could not immediately comment on the case.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)