Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Identity of Registered Nurse

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Windsor woman was sentenced today to nine years in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft offenses.

Amanda Porter-Eley, 37, pleaded guilty on July 13. According to court documents, beginning in 2012, Porter-Eley used social security numbers assigned to others to open bank accounts through which she negotiated worthless checks and thereby fraudulently obtained nearly $50,000. Beginning in September 2015, Porter-Eley totally assumed the identity of A.F.P., a registered nurse then residing in New York state.  Porter-Eley used A.F.P.’s Virginia registered nursing license to obtain employment as a nursing supervisor, a position she held for nearly six months despite lacking the requisite training and qualifications. In the weeks before she was fired from this position, Porter-Eley began using A.F.P.’s personal identifying information to obtain bank, credit, retail, loan, and mortgage accounts. In total, Porter-Eley opened and attempted to open more than three dozen accounts with over 15 financial institutions and retailers operating in Hampton Roads. Through these accounts, Porter-Eley attempted to obtain more than $450,000 in cash, credit, goods, and services, including at least three vehicles and one residential property. Porter-Eley’s use of A.F.P.’s identity continued until her arrest in September 2016 and caused losses to banks and retailers in excess of $120,000. 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Terry L. Sult, Chief of Hampton Police Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin C. Gratton prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-89.