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Department of Justice United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, September 21, 2009 |
CONTACT: Brian McGinn PHONE: 540-857-2974 FAX: 540-857-2179 EMAIL: Brian.McGinn@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw |
FORMER HEALTH CARE WORKER SENTENCED FOR IDENTITY THEFTS
Karen Jones Used Personal Identifiers To Open Credit Accounts
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA -- A Lynchburg woman who worked for at least two Lynchburg-area assisted living facilities was sentenced today for stealing the personal information of those patients who trusted her and using that information to open personal lines of credit.
Karen Priscilla Jones, 48, pled guilty earlier this year to three counts of identity theft, two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud and one count of forging endorsement on a United States Treasury check. Today in District Court, Jones was sentenced to34 months of incarceration and two years of supervised release thereafter. She was also ordered to pay $800 in special assessment fees and $9,132 in restitution.
“It is our duty as Federal prosecutors to ensure that those who prey on individuals who are unable to sufficiently protect themselves are brought to justice for their crimes,” United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “Ms. Jones preyed on elderly patients who had placed their trust in her. It is the duty of this office to provide justice for these victims.”
Jones has admitted that while she was employed at The Oaks Assisted Living Facility and Avante Assisted Living Facility, both located in Lynchburg, Virginia, she participated in an identify theft scheme in which personal identifiers of residents of these nursing home facilities were used to obtain credit accounts, services and merchandise. These actions were taken by the defendant without the victims’ authorization.
In all, Jones stole the identifiers of nine victims’ and used their information, without their knowledge. The defendant caused losses to various individuals and businesses in the amount of at least $9,253.62.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene R. Day prosecuted the case for the United States.