September 15, 2009 - The Department of Justice announced it has charged Donald Stoner, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy to commit identity fraud in a scheme wherein he targeted DUI offenders in Lancaster and York Counties.
According to the press release by Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Stoner would target DUI offenders who hired private attorneys, reasoning that they would have money to steal in contrast to those DUI offenders who used public defenders. Stoner obtained the names of the DUI offenders using the internet, and would then obtain the DUI offender’s personal information directly from the court files in the clerk’s office using an accomplice. From the court files, Stoner and his accomplice obtained the DUI offender’s social security number, drivers license number and other identifying information disclosed in the court documents. Stoner and his accomplice thereafter opened fraudulent bank accounts, created phony email addresses, and applied for loans in the victim’s name.
As a result of this type of identify theft scheme, the clerk of court for York and Lancaster County were asked to redact identifying information from court documents prior to release to the public.
Stoner agreed to plead guilty to the charge. He faces up to five years’ imprisonment and $250,000 in fines upon conviction of the offense.
Post by Kentucky Attorney Stephen J. Isaacs, Isaacs Law Office.
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