Woman Pleads Guilty To Identity Theft And Credit Card Fraud
DES MOINES – Shelley Ann Bridges, 37, of Indianola, Iowa, pled guilty on January 13, 2012, to aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. A sentencing hearing before District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt will be scheduled at a later date. Bridges will remain in custody pending sentencing.
According to a written plea agreement, Bridges obtained personal identifier information of volunteers who participated in a church outreach program at Mitchellville Women’s Correctional Facility. In August and September 2011, Bridges used the personal identifiers of at least 48 of the volunteers to fraudulently obtain credit accounts with at least five victim financial institutions. Bridge’s actions caused at least $10,271 in losses
Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory sentence of two years’ imprisonment to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of one year. Credit card fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The Court is also authorized to order restitution, and Bridges has agreed to pay restitution of at least $10,271.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the West Des Moines Police Department, and the Des Moines Police Department.
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