Local Man Pleads Guilty To Identity Theft Charges

St. Louis, MO – DEANDREA ROBINSON, St. Peters, MO, pled guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft for an equity stripping real estate fraud scheme that victimized a homeowner in north St. Louis County. 

According to the plea agreement, Robinson stole the identity of an individual homeowner to take control of the business entity that owned her home.  Then, Robinson borrowed against the homeowner’s equity in the home.  When Robinson failed to repay the loan, the lender initiated foreclosure on the homeowner, who was not even aware of the loan. After the criminal investigation of the matter began, the lender agreed to halt the foreclosure and the homeowner remains in her home.

Robinson, who has previously been prosecuted in the Eastern District of Missouri for real estate fraud, went into custody after U.S. District Judge John Ross accepted his plea.  Robinson will serve 2 years in prison for aggravated identity theft and will be ordered to pay restitution to the lender he defrauded.  Sentencing has been set for September 11, 2014.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.  Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.