United States Attorney David Capp

Northern District of Indiana

5400 Federal Plaza, Suite 1500

Hammond, IN 46320

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: Mary L. Hatton

August 19, 2010                                                                                 PHONE: (219) 937-5603

www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/                                                                   Fax: (219) 852-2770   

EIGHT INDICTED IN FRAUD SCHEME

Hammond, IN—The United States Attorney's Office announced:

Eight individuals were charged by a nine count indictment unsealed on August 12, 2010 with identity theft, access device fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft of victims residing in at least twenty-one states. From March, 2007 and continuing through January 2010,

            Willie J. Harris, 21, of Atlanta, Georgia

            Amber Fields, 21, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

            Lauren Price, 21, of Chesterton, Indiana

            Alnese Frazier, 21, of Indianapolis, Indiana

            Diontria Frazier, 27, of Indianapolis, Indiana

            Robert Sanders, 21, of Gary, Indiana

            Shana King, 24, of Gary, Indiana

            Joniette Davis, 26, of Indianapolis, Indiana,

obtained the account and personal information of individuals and fraudulently added their names to the victim’s accounts in an account takeover scheme. The defendant’s either utilized their own names or utilized aliases with the accounts which had been taken over to purchase gift cards, Postal money orders, and to make retail purchases with fraudulently obtained credit cards throughout Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia. The defendants also made cash withdrawals on the accounts and utilized the convenience checks associated with the accounts at various financial institutions located in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia.

If convicted, the defendants will forfeit any property derived from the proceeds obtained as a result of the violations, including a money judgement of $198,137.00.

This case is a result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The specific sentence in each case to be imposed upon conviction will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.