Almost 400 victims identified in massive identity theft scheme
Perp walk video is at the link. I feel that if these people had been illegal aliens their names and pictures would not have appeared in the news and the charges would have less severe.
Almost 400 victims identified in massive identity theft scheme
Posted: Dec 04, 2012 4:07 PM CSTUpdated: Dec 04, 2012 5:35 PM CSTPosted by Michael Oliver - email
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -Seven Baton Rouge people are facing multiple charges, including identity theft charges, after a scheme that left nearly 400 victims in 12 states.
State Police say Pamela Reams, worked in the billing department of the LSU Hospital System. She used her position to access several financial databases to obtain account information. She told investigators she would create counterfeit checks and identification cards, which she sold to Tammy Matthews. Detectives say Matthews in turn sold the checks to Meshaune Wilson and Valencia Paul.
The counterfeit checks were cashed in stores throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
The investigation began in Washington Parish, LA when four women, Wilson, Paul, Reams, and Lisa Haynes, were caught on camera allegedly making purchases with the fake checks at several local businesses.
Wilson, Haynes and Paul were arrested in Iberville Parish on November 8th after they allegedly tried to pass counterfeit checks at Walmart in Plaquemine, as well as the Donaldsonville Walmart earlier in the day. State Police say the three women had a number of counterfeit checks, stolen bank account numbers and fake ID cards with their pictures and addresses.
On November 20, State Police, Washington Parish Sheriff's Detectives and U.S. Secret Service agents executed search warrants at the homes of Reams and Matthews. According to reports, investigators found numerous copies of scanned checks from the LSU hospital system database and several fake ID cards. Agents also seized computers, handwritten social security numbers and items used to print checks and ID cards.
Reams' sister, Lisa Anderson and Anderson's husband, Billie Ray Taylor, were spotted on surveillance cameras allegedly using several of the counterfeit checks at stores around Baton Rouge.
Pamela Reams, 47, has been charged with 377 counts of identity theft and possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes in East Baton Rouge Parish. She has also been charged with conspiracy to commit monetary abuse and bank fraud in St. Tammany Parish.
Meshaune Wilson, 34, has been charged with conspiracy to commit identity theft and conspiracy to commit monetary abuse in East Baton Rouge Parish. In St. Tammany Parish he is charged with conspiracy to commit monetary abuse and bank fraud. In Iberville Parish, he is charged with identity theft, monetary instrument abuse and possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes. In Ascension Parish he is charged with identity theft and monetary abuse. In Washington Parish he is charged with identity theft.
Lisa Haynes, 44, is charged with conspiracy to commit identity theft and conspiracy to commit monetary abuse in East Baton Rouge Parish. In St. Tammany Parish she is charged with conspiracy to commit monetary abuse and bank fraud. In Iberville Parish, she is charged with identity theft, monetary instrument abuse and possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes. In Ascension Parish she is charged with identity theft and monetary abuse. In Washington Parish she is charged with identity theft.
Valencia Paul, 37, is charged with Conspiracy to commit Identity Theft and Conspiracy to commit Monetary Abuse in East Baton Rouge Parish. In St. Tammany Parish she is charged with Conspiracy to commit Monetary Abuse and Bank Fraud. In Iberville Parish she is charged with Identity Theft, Monetary Instrument Abuse and Possession of Fraudulent Documents for Identification Purposes. In Ascension Parish she is charged with identity Theft and Monetary Abuse. In Washington Parish she is charged with Identity Theft.
Tammy R. Matthews, 47, is charged with conspiracy to commit identity theft and conspiracy to commit monetary abuse in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Lisa Anderson, 46, is charged with Identity Theft, Monetary Instrument Abuse and Theft (Over $500.00) in East Baton Rouge Parish. She is also charged with identity theft in Washington Parish.
Billy Ray Taylor, Jr., 42, is charged with identity theft, monetary instrument abuse and theft (over $500) in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Authorities are still looking for Valencia Paul.
Detectives are continuing to identify potential victims in the case.
Almost 400 victims identified in massive identity theft scheme - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports
