News and Press Releases
Former personal care attendant pleads guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a former Twin Cities personal care attendant pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Charnell Alene Hudson, age 40 and residence unknown, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Hudson, who was indicted on July 23, 2012, entered her plea before United States District Judge Richard H. Kyle.
In her plea agreement, Hudson acknowledged that between June 2008 and September 2010, she devised and executed a scheme to defraud by stealing the identity of a minor in her care. In 2005, Hudson worked as a personal care attendant for the elderly and disabled in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. That year, she was hired to provide care for a minor at the minor’s home. In 2006, the minor moved in with Hudson. Hudson assumed responsibility for all aspects of the minor’s care and had access to all of the minor’s personal identifying documents. When the minor moved out the next year, Hudson kept all of the minor’s identifying documents and information.
Hudson used the minor’s social security card and birth certificate to obtain a Minnesota driver’s license and a title for a vehicle. Since Hudson had a criminal history that prevented her from opening a licensed daycare, she also used the minor’s identity to establish a business called “Lil Dumplin’s Daycare,” which allowed her to receive $70,000 from Ramsey County pursuant to a contract to provide services to the community. On March 25, 2010, Hudson also used the minor’s identity to purchase a $153,000 home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Hudson then used the minor’s identity to send monthly payment checks of $916.12 to the seller of the house.
For her crimes, Hudson faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for one count of mail fraud and a mandatory minimum of two years for aggravated identity theft, as well as possible fines and forfeitures. Judge Kyle will determine her sentence at a future hearing, not yet scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez.
