New Haven Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LESHANDA LONG, 36, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to fraud and identity theft offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2016, LONG stole the identity of an individual and used the misappropriated identity to obtain a credit card, rent an automobile, pay personal expenses and obtain cash advances.

Surveillance video at a bank ATM captured LONG obtaining cash advances disguised with an orange scarf and distinctive sunglasses. A subsequent search of LONG’s residence revealed the scarf and sunglasses, as well as the victim’s personal identifying material and the fraudulently obtained credit card.

LONG pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years. She is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on December 11, 2017.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, West Haven Police Department and New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.