• FOR FURTHERINFORMATION CONTACT

    AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or

    MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
    JANUARY 8, 2008

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md







TIMONIUM MAN SENTENCED TO OVER 5 YEARS IN SCHEME TO SELL IDENTITY AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM HIS EMPLOYMENT

Used His Position at a Maryland Mortgage Company to Steal Over 300 Folders of Personal Financial Information


Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge J. Frederic Motz sentenced Robert Michael Stewart, age 26, of Timonium, Maryland, today to 66 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for fraud in connection with identity information (identity theft) and aggravated identity theft in a scheme to sell stolen personal and financial information, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, "People disclose sensitive personal and financial information every time they apply for mortgage loans and other forms of credit. Law enforcement agencies will continue to be aggressive in catching and punishing criminals who seek to use that information. Under federal law, every identity thief serves at least two years in federal prison in addition to the sentence for the fraud scheme."

According to the plea agreement, Stewart sought to sell 325 folders of personal and financial information of individuals who had previously obtained a mortgage. He gained or had access to this information from his employment at a Pikesville, Maryland mortgage company. In January 2007, Stewart had approximately 200 folders at his residence, which he intended to be sold to others, who would use the information to obtain funds from existing accounts and obtain additional extensions of credit.

On January 4, 2007, Stewart provided a cooperating witness with three “samplesâ€