Sewickley Woman Sentenced To Probation For Participating In ID Theft Scheme

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Sewickley, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation on her conviction of identity theft, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Anastacia Benedict, 24.

According to the information presented to the court, Benedict, a participant in an identity theft scheme, attempted to use unauthorized retail store charge cards to make purchases of merchandise.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution in this case. The WPFCTF was established in February 1995 as a collaborative, multi-agency effort to effectively combat financial crimes, including identity fraud, in Western Pennsylvania. Partners in this effort are the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police.