New Haven Woman Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LESHANDA LONG, 37, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and identity theft offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2015, 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, disguised with an orange scarf and distinctive sunglasses, obtaining cash advances.  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 was arrested on February 24, 2017.  On September 7, 2017, she pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  She has been detained since October 17, 2017, when her bond was revoked.

Long’s criminal history includes 21 prior convictions, including convictions for identity theft and larceny.  She also has pending state charges for identity theft, forgery, larceny and robbery offenses.

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