Identity Theft Press Releases

January 6, 2015

CATTON: Repeat Identity Thief Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft, Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

January 13, 2014

TAX ID THEFT: U.S. Attorney Warns of Growing Threat of Taxpayer ID Theft

October 25, 2013

WILLIAMSON: Former Rap Artist Sentenced to 9+ Years in Prison for Bank Fraud, Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

September 27, 2013

BERMUDEZ: Identity Thief Who Burglarized Locked Mailboxes Sentenced to 3+ Years in Prison

September 7, 2012

BOWMAN: Snohomish County Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Aggravated ID Theft, Credit Card Fraud and Prescription Fraud

July 24, 2012

G-SELLASSIE: Seattle Man Sentenced to Prison for 'Skimming Spree' Across Four Western States

July 13, 2012

WITT: Seattle Man Sentenced to Prison for Computer Hacking, Fraud and Identity Theft

July 12, 2012

WILLIAMSON: California Rap Artist Arrested on Indictment for Purchase and Use of Hacked Debit and Credit Card Information

June 29, 2012

SALI: Leader of 'Skimming' Ring with International Ties Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison

June 11, 2012

SCHROOTEN: Dutch Citizen Arrested and Extradited from Romania for Computer Hacking Scheme that Compromised Thousands of Credit Cards

May 25, 2012

SANDLER: 'Skimmer' who Compromised Bank Accounts from Seattle to Denver Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison

May 10, 2012

GRIFFIN and LOWE: Two Seattle Men Sentenced to Prison for Computer Hacking, Fraud and Identity Theft

April 23, 2012

WILLIAMS: Tacoma Woman Sentenced to Prison for Indentity Theft Tied to Car Prowls at Mt. Rainier National Park

March 9, 2012

SALI: Leader of 'Skimming' Ring with International Ties Pleads Guilty

January 27, 2012

WUDTEE: Man Who Lived for Three Decades Under False Identity Sentenced for Identity Theft and Illegal Gun Possession

November 18, 2011

PETRI: Member of Prolific Romanian 'Skimming' Ring Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

November 3, 2011

HAWKINS: Final Member of Multi-State ID Theft and Bank Fraud Ring Sentenced to Prison

September 7, 2011

G-SELLASSIE: Skimming Spree Across the West Ends with Seattle Area Arrests

August 12, 2011

OKUNNU: Repeat Identity Thief Sentenced to Prison for Passport Fraud

July 29, 2011

KIM: Former Insurance Agent Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

June 23, 2011

ALEXANDER: Seattle Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

May 31, 2011

WILLIAMS: Former Seattle Area Resident Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Passport Fraud

March 25, 2011

WUDTEE: Man Who Lived For Three Decades Under False Identity Arrested for Identity Theft and Misuse of a Social Security Number

March 14, 2011

LEDESMA-FLORES: Mexican National Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Manufacturing Fake Identity Documents

1/10/11 BIGHETTY
WOMAN WHO STOLE IDENTITY OF DECEASED STEP-DAUGHTER TO COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS IN PRISON
Defendant has Lengthy Criminal History

12/3/10 GILES
REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT
Former ‘Select’ Basketball Coach who Molested Players used False Identity

8/10/10 BAUTISTA
FORMER MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR INDICTED FOR SCHEME MISUSING FORMER CLIENTS’ PERSONAL INFORMATION
Woman Allegedly Obtained Loans in the Names of Past Clients for New Novice Purchasers

6/25/10 DYSON
LEADER OF ID THEFT RING SENTENCED TO SIX YEAR PRISON TERM
Theft Ring Opened “Instant Credit” Accounts Using Victims’ Identities

6/9/10 GALEY
SNOHOMISH COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR BANK FRAUD AND ID THEFT
Defendant Manufactured Fake Checks and ID for Fraud Ring

5/28/10 MAIDEN
LEADER OF IDENTITY THEFT AND BANK FRAUD RING SENTENCED TO PRISON
Defendant Arranged Travel to Northwest for Ring Attempting Bank Account Takeovers

5/28/10 MOORE
FELON WHO STOLE IDENTITY OF ANOTHER PRISON INMATE GETS 4 MORE YEARS
Defendant Used Identity to Avoid Registering as a Sex Offender

3/19/10 WATSON
MAN WHO STOLE VETERAN’S IDENTITY SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS IN PRISON
Dishonorably Discharged Sailor Used Army Vets Identity and Service Record for Benefits

2/5/10 JANG
LEADER OF $3 MILLION E-FENCING OPERATION AND ID THEFT RING GETS EIGHT AND A HALF YEAR PRISON TERM FOR BANK FRAUD AND AGGRAVATED ID THEFT
Decade-long Scheme Stealing Credit Cards From Gym Lockers to Purchase and Fence High-end Goods

1/8/10 DADE
PROLIFIC IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO 4+ YEARS IN PRISON
Repeat Offender was Member of Ring that Stole IDs to Rack Up Instant Credit Charges

12/4/09 MOWER
SEATTLE MAN SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON FOR 35 YEARS OF IDENTITY THEFT
Assumed Identity of Family Acquaintance to Avoid Prosecution, then Fraudulently Obtained Benefits and Declared Bankruptcy Using the False Information

8/20/09 HARDY-GORDON
THREE SEATTLE AREA WOMEN SENTENCED FOR BANK FRAUD SCHEME IN “OPERATION HONOR ROLE”
Defendants Stole Identities to Apply for More than $2 Million in Student Loans

8/14/09 TORRELLA
THREE PEOPLE SENTENCED FOR PRETEXTING IN “OPERATION DIALING FOR DOLLARS”
Belfair Couple Who Owned Pretexing Company and Biggest Client Sentenced to Prison Time

7/29/09 MOWER
SEATTLE MAN ARRESTED FOR AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT
Defendant Stole Victim’s Identity for 35 Years in Order to Hide from Justice System

5/26/09 ARMSTEAD
LEADER OF ID THEFT RING RE-SENTENCED – GETS 14+ YEAR PRISON TERM
Circuit Court Ruling Reduces Prison term by Three Years

5/8/09 HARDY, et. al.
FOUR SEATTLE AREA WOMEN PLEAD GUILTY TO BANK FRAUD SCHEME IN “OPERATION HONOR ROLE”
Defendants Stole Identities to Apply for More than $2 Million in Student Loans

5/1/09 BURRAGE
ID THEFT RING INDICTED FOR USING STOLEN IDENTITIES TO RUN UP MORE THAN $125,000 IN “INSTANT CREDIT” CHARGES
Last of Five Defendants to Make First Appearance at 1:30 Today

2/13/09 CRAFT
TACOMA MAN WHO LEGALLY CHANGED NAME MULTIPLE TIMES TO COMMIT BANK FRAUD SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON
Defendant Legally Changed His Name Thirteen Times in Ten Years

2/6/09 VALMONTE
SNOHOMISH COUNTY MAN SENTENCED FOR IDENTITY THEFT SCHEME
Using Forged Documents Ring Stole Nearly $100,000 from Area Banks and Customers

1/30/09 STURGIS
LOS ANGELES MAN WHO TRAVELED TO NORTHWEST FOR BANK FRAUD PLEADS GUILTY
Defendant and Co-Conspirator Arrested at Sea-Tac with Cache of Fake ID’s

1/23/09 JENSEN
MAN WHO DEFRAUDED BANKS ACROSS TWO STATES SENTENCED TO TEN YEAR PRISON TERM
ID Thief Used Fake Identification to Make Cash Withdrawals From Customer Accounts

11/21/08 SHAIN
SEATTLE “MYSTERY MAN” SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS FOR GUN POSSESSION AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT
Defendant Stole Identities of Deceased Individuals to Hide from Justice System and Society

11/21/08 JANG-BRITT
TWO KING COUNTY MEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH ON-LINE FENCING OF STOLEN ELECTRONICS
Thieves Stole Credit Cards From Gym Lockers, Quickly Purchased High-end Goods Later Sold Online for Millions of Dollars

10/21/08 STEWART
PROLIFIC FORGER AND IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO SEVENTY SIX MONTHS IN PRISON FOR BANK FRAUD AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT
Black Diamond Man Forged IDs, Checks and Even Law Enforcement Badges to Commit Fraud

7/18/08 WHITE
FAKE ID PRINTER FOR GROUP THAT USED INSIDERS AT A MORTGAGE COMPANY AND ESCROW FIRM SENTENCED TO LONG PRISON TERM

7/18/08 GODWIN
REPEAT IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO 44 MONTHS IN PRISON - Defendant Committed Burglaries to Obtain Personal Info for ID Theft and Fraud

7/11/08 MOORE
FINAL DEFENDANT IN “OPERATION JOY RIDE” GETS FOUR YEAR PRISON TERM - Ring Purchased High-end Cars Using Other People’s Identities and Credit

6/27/08 CRUZ
FEDERAL WAY WOMAN SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN PRISON FOR BANK FRAUD, ID THEFT AND ILLEGAL GUN POSSESSION - Repeat Offender Used Stolen Mail, Information from Burglaries to Commit Fraud

6/10/08 HARDY
FIVE SEATTLE AREA WOMEN INDICTED FOR BANK FRAUD IN
“OPERATION HONOR ROLL” - Defendants Accused of Identity Theft to Apply for More than $2 Million in Student Loans

5/29/08 SMITH
TACOMA IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO 75 MONTHS OF IMPRISONMENT - Man Used Stolen Credit Card Information and Identities to Steal Merchandise Over the Internet

5/23/08 TUITA
BURIEN WOMAN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR ID THEFT SPREE ACROSS THE WEST - Used Stolen Checks and Fake Id to Steal More than $100,000 in Merchandise

3/24/08 NOVELLO
SEATTLE MAN SENTENCED TO 57 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR ID THEFT SCHEME - Defendant Stole Mail from Multiple Seattle Apartment Complexes

2/8/08 CALDWELL
THREE MORE MEMBERS OF ID THEFT CONSPIRACY SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR SCHEME THAT ABUSED LEGAL NAME CHANGE SYSTEM - Eight Defendants Now Sentenced to Up to Five Years in Prison

2/5/08 SMITH
IDENTITY AND INTERNET THIEF PLEADS GUILTY - Tacoma Man Used Stolen Identities in Internet Fraud For About $250,000 in Watches, Art, Sports Paraphernalia, Cell phones and Other Expensive Consumer Items

2/1/08 CALDWELL
FIVE MEMBERS OF ID THEFT CONSPIRACY SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR SCHEME THAT ABUSED LEGAL NAME CHANGE SYSTEM - Ring Leader Sentenced to Five years in Prison

1/22/08 JAMES
SEATTLE MAN SENTENCED TO 5+ YEARS IN PRISON FOR LEADING MULTI-STATE BANK FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT RING

1/14/08 KALINA
RENTON MAN SENTENCED TO 45 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR BANK FRAUD AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT - Defendant made Counterfeit Checks and Drivers Licenses to Steal More than $10,000

12/21/07 BOOKER
FORMER MORTGAGE COMPANY LOAN OFFICER SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR HER ROLE IN ID THEFT RING - Seattle Woman Gave Confidential Financial Information from Mortgage Applications to Ring Leader

12/14/07 GRIFFIN
LEADER OF ID THEFT RING THAT USED INSIDERS AT A MORTGAGE COMPANY AND ESCROW FIRM SENTENCED TO LONG PRISON TERM - Conspirators Responsible for More than $335,000 in Fraud

12/6/07 TORRELLA
TEN INDICTED FOR PRETEXTING IN "OPERATION DIALING FOR DOLLARS" - Defendants Would Adopt Various Identities to Get Confidential Tax, Medical and Employment Info

11/30/07 SMITH
TACOMA MAN CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT FOR INTERNET CREDIT CARD SCAM - Man Used Credit Card Information from Records Provided by an Insider at a Tukwila Hotel

11/16/07 SANDOVAL
PASADENA MAN SENTENCED FOR DEFRAUDING RENTON ON-LINE GAMING COMPANY - Man Used Stolen Identities to Order and Resell Goods From Wizards of the Coast On-Line Store

11/13/07 YOUNG
FORMER TAX PREP EMPLOYEE SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR BANK FRAUD, AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT - Seattle Woman Used Personal Information from H & R Block Customers to get Tax Refund Loans

10/22/07 ROBERTS
FORMER WHATCOM COUNTY WOMAN SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS IN PRISON IN CONNECTION WITH CONSPIRACY, TAX FRAUD, BANK FRAUD, WIRE FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT - Stole the Identities of Family Members and Tax Return Prep Customers to Commit Fraud

8/30/07 LOTT
SEATTLE MAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR BANK FRAUD AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT - Repeat Offender Forged Checks Totaling Nearly $30,000

8/29/07 CARSEN
EVERETT WOMAN SENTENCED TO 33 MONTHS FOR SCHEME INVOLVING AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT - Woman preyed on College Students Stealing ID Info from Trash at Copy Center

6/8/07 MOORE
FORGER LINKED TO MULTIPLE IDENTITY THIEVES SENTENCED TO 5+ YEARS IN PRISON - Key Player in Bank Fraud Schemes that Victimized Dozens

5/4/07 WILLIAMS
FOUR YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR IDENTITY THIEF WHO STOLE INFORMATION FROM PATIENT FILES AT MEDICAL CLINIC - Defendant Entered Virginia Mason Clinic after Hours and Stole Info from Patient Records

4/6/07 MCCOMB
PROLIFIC IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO 5+ YEARS IN PRISON - Man Even Used Phone Tapping Device to Activate Stolen Credit Card from Residential Phone

3/14/07 ROBERTS
FORMER WHATCOM COUNTY WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH CONSPIRACY, TAX FRAUD, BANK FRAUD, WIRE FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT - Allegedly Stole the Identities of Family Members and Tax Return Prep Customers to Commit Fraud

3/12/07 MORED
SOUTH KING COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ID THEFT/BANK FRAUD SCHEME - Identity Information Stolen While Defendant Worked as Janitor at Us Bank

3/2/07 BERGMAN
REPEAT IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO FOUR YEAR PRISON TERM - Defendant Gets Lengthy Federal Term after Repeated Arrests by Local Law Enforcement

2/9/07 HENDERSON
BRAZEN IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO 6+ YEARS IN PRISON - Repeat Offender Used ID's from Medical Clinic

2/8/07 EDWARDS
REPEAT IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON - Defendant Used Stolen Mail from More than 50 Victims to Commit Bank Fraud

1/30/07 MOORE
FORGER LINKED TO MULTIPLE IDENTITY THIEVES PLEADS GUILTY - Key Player in Bank Fraud Schemes that Victimized Dozens

12/15/06 WILLIAMS
IDENTITY THIEF WHO STOLE INFORMATION FROM PATIENT FILES AT MEDICAL CLINIC PLEADS GUILTY - Defendant entered Virginia Mason Clinic After Hours and Stole Info from Patient Records

11/17/06 ROBERTS
FORMER WHATCOM COUNTY COUPLE INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH CONSPIRACY, TAX FRAUD, BANK FRAUD, WIRE FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT - Allegedly Stole the Identities of family members and Tax Return Prep Customers to Commit Fraud

11/17/06 STUCKEY
REPEAT OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 42 MONTHS FOR AGGRAVATED ID THEFT - Used Stolen and Counterfeit Checks to Inflate Bank Accounts then Stole Money

10/16/06 ARMSTEAD
LEADER OF ID THEFT RING SENTENCED TO 17 ½ YEARS IN PRISON - Shoreline Man Recruited Drug Addicts to Steal ID Information, Commit Fraud

10/13/06 ANGOUS
REPEAT IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO NEARLY EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON - Seattle Woman Used Identities of a Dozen Women to Run up More than $170,000 in Credit Card Charges

10/13/06 MORED
SOUTH KING COUNTY PAIR CHARGED WITH ID THEFT/ BANK FRAUD SCHEME - Identity Information Allegedly Stolen While Defendant Worked as Janitor at US Bank

9/27/06 ID THEFT WORKIING GROUP
PROSECUTION PRIORITIES FOR ID THEFT WORKING GROUP

9/15/06 KLIMAS
CALIFORNIA MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT - Defendant Used Insider Info to Take Over Bank Accounts from Unsuspecting Victims

9/1/06 RAPA
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IDENTITY THEIVES SENTENCED TO PRISON - Mother, Daughter and Son Used False Identities to Buy Cars, Homes, and Get Tax Refunds

6/30/06 RENECKER
IDENTITY THIEF SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON UNDER NEW FEDERAL STATUTE - Man applied for credit in the names of local companies; charged purchases of more than $100,000

6/21/06 KLIMAS
CALIFORNIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT - Agrees to Four Year Prison Term for Raiding Bank Accounts in Id Theft Scheme

6/19/06 PUTNAM
ISSAQUAH MAN SENTENCED TO 51 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR IDENTITY THEFT - Long Sentence to Protect the Public from Repeat Offender

6/7/06 RAPA
A FAMILY OF IDENTITY THIEVES PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT - Mother, Daughter and Son Used False Identities to Buy Cars, Homes, and Get Tax Refunds

6/2/06 NGUYEN
MEMBER OF ID THEFT RING THAT PREYED ON STARBUCKS' EMPLOYEES SENTENCED TO PRISON - Group Used Info from Starbucks Human Resources Employee to Raid Bank Accounts

5/5/06 ALBERT
MAN WHO USED THE IDENTITIES OF HUNDREDS OF DECEASED CHILDREN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR MAIL FRAUD & PRODUCTION OF FALSE ID - Twenty Year Crime Spree Across the West Ends with Arrest near Lynden, Washington

1/27/06 CALDWELL
RENTON WOMAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR IDENTITY THEFT - Feds seek Lengthy Sentence using Aggravated Identity Theft Statute

1/6/06 CHANG
CALIFORNIA MAN SENTENCED TO 15 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR NATIONWIDE FRAUD SCHEME - Used false Korean passports to open bank accounts and defraud banks

12/19/05 SOUKAS
Former Monroe Resident Sentenced to 92 Months in Prison for 39 Counts of Conspiracy, ID Theft and False Claims

10/28/05 NELSON
Anacortes Man Gets Five Years For Aggravated Identity Theft, Bank and Wire Fraud; Couple Victimized More Than 250 People

10/21/05 ANDREWS
Vancouver Identity Thief Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

10/7/05 PHILIPS
Former Microsoft Employee Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Use of False Social Security Number

9/28/05 ELLIS
Seattle Woman Sentenced to Four Year Prison Term--Was Leader of Bank Fraud and ID Theft Ring

7/28/05 JONES
Second Leader of Major ID Theft Ring Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

7/22/05 SOUKAS
Former Monroe Resident Pleads Guilty to 39 Counts of Conspiracy, ID Theft and False Tax Claims

7/8/05 GREEN
Former National Guard Payroll Clerk Gets 33 Months for Mail Fraud in Identity Theft Scheme Targeting Soldiers

7/1/05 PHILIPS
Former Microsoft Employee Convicted of Wire Fraud and Use of False Social Security Number

4/20/05 WILLIAMS
Leader of Major ID Theft Ring Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison

4/18/05 PHAM
Starbucks Employee and Five Others Indicted in $1.5 Million Bank Fraud

2/18/05 SOUKAS
Former Monroe Resident Indicted: 50 counts of Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, ID Theft and False Tax Claims

2/17/05 ELLIS
Seattle Woman Pleads Guilty in Bank Fraud and ID Theft Cases