KC Woman Sentenced for Fraud, Identity Theft

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme to fraudulently rent apartments and a business office, lease cars and open bank accounts.

Deshonda Latrice Anderson, 25, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to five years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Anderson to pay $39,976 in restitution to her victims.

Anderson moved to Kansas City from Texas in February 2012. Between February and June 2012, Anderson used pseudonyms, fake and stolen Social Security numbers, forged paystubs, W-2 and W-3 forms, false employment and residence information, a sham business, bad checks and credit cards to secure for herself a line of credit, bank accounts, apartments, a business office, cars, other goods and cash. Victims of Anderson’s four-month scheme include at least 39 individuals, businesses and financial institutions.

In order to secure a place to live and transportation, Anderson defrauded at least 11 landlords and three car dealerships or leasing agencies. Anderson wrongfully appropriated for her personal use a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban, a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro and a 2012 Audi A4 in just four months. The loss to those victims of Anderson’s scheme totals at least $39,811.

Anderson incorporated Vixen Kandi Company on March 8, 2012. Vixen Kandi Company has no apparent legitimate business operation, production or revenue. Anderson used several worthless forms of payment to rent office space from Regus Management Group. The loss to Regus related to Anderson’s scheme is $669. Anderson also presented to M&I Bank false personal information and fake business information so that the bank would open four accounts for Vixen Kandi Company and treat it as a legitimate account holder. The loss to M&I Bank related to the fraud scheme totals $2,621.

Anderson opened an account at UMB Bank using her infant child’s Social Security number. The bank provided Anderson with starter checks; she conducted worthless deposits into the account and withdrew cash. UMB Bank recognized the fraudulent activity and closed the account two weeks later. Even though the account was closed, Anderson continued to present checks for goods and services drawn on the account. Anderson’s scheme resulted in a loss of $102 to UMB Bank.

Anderson engaged in a similar course of conduct at no fewer than five other banks. At each bank, Anderson used falsified personal information and checks drawn on insufficient funds to open personal accounts. She also used a fraudulent certificate of incorporation in order to open business accounts. Anderson deposited worthless checks into the accounts then withdrew cash or presented checks for payment against those accounts. The loss related to Anderson’s scheme for those banks totals at least $6,523.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel M. Nelson. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General.