FORT WORTH -- The trial of a man accused of "skimming" consumers' account information from automated gas pumps across North Texas was halted Tuesday after the defendant was found nearly unconscious in his home in north Fort Worth.
Law enforcement officers were sent to find Aleksandr Goukasian, 52, after he failed to appear in court for his trial, which is now in its second week.It was not known late Tuesday whether Goukasian will be in court today.If he does not return, state District Judge Wayne Salvant indicated that he would decide whether to proceed without Goukasian or wait until he can be present in court.Prosecutors Lori Burks and Jon O'Toole had completed their case against Goukasian, who is accused of using illegal "skimmers" to obtain credit and debit card information and PINs from gas pumps.Secret Service Special Agent Troy Sarria testified Tuesday afternoon that he went to Goukasian's home with police officers to find out why Goukasian did not show up in court.No one answered the door, but Sarria said officers saw movement at a front window.After obtaining a warrant, the officers entered the home and found Goukasian in his bed, incoherent."He was almost unresponsive," Sarria testified outside the presence of the jury.Officers found a bottle of Ambien -- a prescription sleeping pill -- in the room, but Sarria said he did not know how many, if any, pills remained in the bottle.Defense attorney Abe Factor said doctors indicated Tuesday afternoon that Goukasian might be hospitalized.Goukasian, an Armenian who listed a California address at the time of his arrest, is charged with engaging in organized crime and with credit and debit card abuse that generated thousands of dollars in cash and goods from unsuspecting victims in 2010.Prosecutors presented evidence that a theft ring placed small devices inside gas pumps to collect credit card information and PINs.Thirteen skimmers, all with the same design and unique markings, were recovered in North Texas. Others were found in Houston, Mojave, Calif., and Las Vegas, according to prosecutors.Two men accused of conspiring with Goukasian are awaiting trial in Houston. Two others, one of whom has not been identified, are at large, Burks said.Goukasian pleaded guilty to a federal charge of using stolen account information. He is awaiting sentencing on that conviction.Dianna Hunt, 817-390-7084Twitter: @DiannaHunt