Four Defendants Sentenced in Federal Court for Roles in Automobile Dealership Fraud Conspiracy

Jackson, MS – Four defendants were sentenced in federal court last week for their roles in connection with a scheme to use the stolen identities of others to purchase expensive vehicles in the Jackson metropolitan area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2023, Paul Anthony Robinson, Sarah Elizabeth Calderon, Joshanique Elouise Bailey, David L. Jones, Jr., and Anna Waldei conspired with each other to obtain the identity information of credit-worthy individuals, create false identity documents in the names of those individuals, and then pose as those individuals at automotive dealerships in order to apply for vehicle financing. The defendants submitted credit applications and purchased or attempted to purchase vehicles from dealerships in the Jackson metro area. The defendants traveled from Louisiana to Mississippi in a vehicle rented by Waldei.

Robinson pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on October 18, 2024. He received a sentence of 46 months in federal prison.

Calderon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft on November 26, 2024. She received a sentence of 39 months in federal prison.

Bailey pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on April 9, 2025. She received a sentence of two years’ probation.

Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft on February 13, 2025. He received a sentence of 32 months in federal prison.

The remaining co-defendant, Anna Waldei, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on March 27, 2025. Waldei is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

“Cases involving identity theft have long lasting implications for victims including difficulties reestablishing their identity and credit,” said Acting United States Attorney Patrick Lemon. “I am grateful for the hard work of the Secret Service and Attorney General’s Office in helping to bring these defendants to justice.”

“More than vehicles were stolen here. A person’s identity is their most valuable possession and identity theft is a serious crime,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “It is one of the reasons our Cyber Fraud Task Force is such a vital law enforcement unit. I am proud to see the results of our work in this case with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Secret Service to put the brakes on this auto theft scheme, put these criminals behind bars, and obtain justice for all of the victims.”

“The use of stolen identities by suspects to target unknowing victims represents a serious and evolving threat to public safety, financial security, and personal privacy,” said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis. “These crimes are not just fraud—they are violations that often leave victims emotionally distressed, financially devastated, and struggling to reclaim their sense of security. This type of deception underscores the urgent need for increased public awareness, robust cybersecurity measures, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and disrupt these schemes. Protecting the identity and integrity of our citizens must remain a top priority, as every stolen identity is a potential gateway to further victimization and criminal enterprise.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis, and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch made the announcement.

The United States Secret Service and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office investigated the case through their partnership in the Cyber Fraud Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie prosecuted the case.