FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
NOVEMBER 15, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE WOMAN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS
IN IDENTITY THEFT SCHEME
Scheme Involved Use of Identity Information Stolen from a Mortgage Company
To Open Credit Card Accounts and Purchase High Priced Goods
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Faye Marie Jones, age 52, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to three years in prison followed by two years of supervised release for use of unauthorized access devices, such as account numbers, credit cards and bank cards; and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Bennett also ordered Jones to pay restitution of $86,663.93.
According to Jones’ plea agreement, in the Fall of 2006, Jones, Nekia Hunter, Lavon Caldwell and others purchased retail goods using fraudulently opened credit accounts in the names of the victims without intending to pay for the goods.
As part of the scheme, Hunter purchased credit reports that were stolen from a mortgage company which contained the names and addresses, social security numbers, credit and other identifying information of persons who had applied for a mortgage.
Hunter manufactured fraudulent Maryland driver’s licenses in the names and addresses of the victims, but which bore the photographs of Jones and her associates. Jones used the fraudulent driver’s licenses at stores to open credit accounts in the names of the victims, and then used the temporary credit cards to buy high-priced goods, such as plasma televisions and building materials. The goods were then sold for cash, and the cash split among those involved in the identity theft ring.
Caldwell, age 25, and Hunter, age 29, both of Baltimore, pleaded guilty on September 10, 2007 and August 17, 2007, respectively, and face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Hunter also faces 15 years in prison for illegal production of identification documents; and both Caldwell and Hunter face a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. Judge Bennett has scheduled Hunter’s sentencing for December 13, 2007 and Caldwell’s for November 21, 2007. Both defendants remain detained pending sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the U.S. Secret Service and Baltimore County Police Department for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tonya Kelly Kowitz and Paul Budlow, who are prosecuting the case.