FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

September 12, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

BALTIMORE WOMAN INDICTED FOR IDENTITY THEFT AND BANK FRAUD

Obtained More Than $61,000 Using Another Individual’s Name

and Credit Information

BALTIMORE, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted Nicole Jenise Stevenson, age 24, of Baltimore, on charges of bank fraud, credit card fraud, fraud in connection with identification documents and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. The indictment, which was returned on August 29, 2006, was unsealed today upon Stevenson’s arrest.

The 8-count indictment charges that Stevenson, also known as Nicole Jenise Brown, Nicole Brown Stevenson, Jenise Brown, Sandy Kitorah and Kitorah Sandy, became employed at Harbor Hospital in June of 2005 where she had access to patients’ confidential information and social security numbers. Between September 12, 2005 and March 4, 2006, Stevenson used the name and social security number of a patient whose initials are “KG,” without her knowledge and consent, to fraudulently obtain lines of credit and compromise existing extensions of KG’s credit for Stevenson’s own benefit. Stevenson allegedly obtained more than $61,000 in consumer goods using the name and credit of “KG” without intending to pay for the goods.

Stevenson faces a maximum penalty on each charge of bank fraud of 30 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release and a fine of $1,000,000; 10 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for credit card fraud; 15 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for identification document fraud; and 2 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed for aggravated identity theft. Her initial appearance is expected to be scheduled later today.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the United States Secret Service Financial Fraud Taskforce, Baltimore and the Baltimore County Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tonya Kelly Kowitz, who is prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—September 12, 2006