NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

BETH PHILLIPS

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov../index.html

JANUARY 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORMER POLICE OFFICER, WIFE PLEAD GUILTY

TO IDENTITY THEFT CONSPIRACY

STUDENTS AT CMSU TARGETED FOR CREDIT CARD FRAUD

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a former officer for the University of Central Missouri Police Department and his wife have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in an identity theft conspiracy that targeted students at the university.

Amanda J. Drake, 30, of Warrensburg, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this morning to the charge contained in an Aug. 12, 2009, federal indictment. Her husband, James B. Drake, 46, pleaded guilty to the same charge on Jan. 4, 2010.

By pleading guilty, the Drakes admitted that they stole a University of Central Missouri student enrollment list containing names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth. That identity information was used to fraudulently obtain credit cards in the students’ names. The government contends there were more than 250 victims of the conspiracy, with a total loss of more than $30,000.

During the time of the conspiracy, in May 2009, James Drake was a police officer with the University of Central Missouri Police Department.

Under federal statutes, James and Amanda Drake are each subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William L. Meiners. It was investigated by the University of Central Missouri Police Department in conjunction with the FBI.

****************

This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at