John Pierson, left, and James Godwin (Credit: Hilltown Township Police)
Facial recognition software and a hand tattoo led authorities to two men allegedly involved in a recent identity theft scheme.
The pair are facing felony charges after Hilltown Township Police allege they used a stolen debit card to make more than $500 in fraudulent purchases at Walmart earlier this year.
According to a criminal complaint filed this month, James Anthony Godwin, 31, of the 30th block of Main Street, Souderton, and John Pierson, 30, of the 3900 block of Arcadia Street, Philadelphia, are accused of using a debit card belonging to someone else to complete three separate transactions on Jan. 8, 2026 at the Walmart located at 1515 Bethlehem Pike in Hilltown Township.
Pierson and Godwin each face felony charges of identity theft, criminal conspiracy to engage in identity theft with Godwin, and access device fraud, as well as misdemeanor theft and receiving stolen property, per court records.
James Godwin (Credit: Hilltown Police)
John Pierson (Credit: Hilltown Police)Police were dispatched around 6:11 p.m. that evening after the victim reported her debit card had been used without authorization. She told investigators the three transactions totaled $501.38, broken down into purchases of $21.96, $419.06 and $60.36, according to the affidavit.
Walmart loss prevention provided transaction records, video footage and still images to police. Surveillance video showed two men enter the store, select merchandise and approach the register, where they allegedly used the victim's debit card to complete the purchases before leaving with the items.
Investigators said they immediately recognized one of the suspects as Godwin from a prior unrelated investigation, per the complaint.
Detectives later identified the second suspect as Pierson through facial recognition software and social media images, noting a skull tattoo on the back of his left hand that matched one visible in the surveillance footage.
Godwin is charged with felony identity theft, criminal conspiracy, access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The identity theft and access device charges are graded as third-degree felonies, while the theft-related offenses are misdemeanors, court documents show
Police allege the pair conspired to use the victim's identifying information and debit card without her consent in order to obtain retail merchandise.
Both are free on $75,000 unsecured bail each, per court records. A preliminary hearing is set for both defendants for March 10 before Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
