A Rio Rancho woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a string of identity theft cases.
Amber Hilton, 33, was sentenced this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to 24 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release for her aggravated identity theft conviction.
According to court documents, Hilton was charged with possession of a counterfeit U.S. Postal Service key to a lock box for the purpose of mail theft on October 14, 2014, in Sandoval County, New Mexico, attempted use of a Home Depot credit card on September 26, 2014, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, and identity theft on September 26, 2014, in Bernalillo County.
The indictment was later superseded and charged Hilton with attempt to defraud Wells Fargo Bank by attempting to cash two checks which had been altered to reflect a stolen identity on September 7, 2014, in Bernalillo County, identity theft on September 7, 2014, in Bernalillo County, attempted use of a Best Buy credit card on September 24, 2014, in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, attempted use of a Home Depot credit card on September 25, 2014, in Sandoval County, New Mexico, attempted use of a Home Depot credit card on September 26, 2014, in Bernalillo County, aggravated identity theft on September 26, 2014, in Bernalillo County, and possession of a counterfeit U.S. Postal Service key to a lock box for the purpose of mail theft on October 14, 2014, in Sandoval County.
Hilton pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and admitted to attempting to use a Home Depot credit card and attempting to obtain more than $1,000.00 with the credit card on October 10, 2014, in Bernalillo County.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Cairns prosecuted the case.
Hilton was also ordered to pay $5,260.86 in restitution to the U.S. Postal Service.
The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of identity theft and the importance of protecting personal information.
Defendant: Amber Hilton
Criminal Charges: Possession of a counterfeit U.S. Postal Service key to a lock box for the purpose of mail theft, attempted use of a Home Depot credit card, identity theft, and aggravated identity theft
City and State: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Date: August 7, 2015 (sentencing), October 14, 2014 (crime date)
Sentence: 24 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release and $5,260.86 in restitution
Related Federal Cases
- David William Welbig, Aggravated Identity Theft, New Mexico 2014 · Colorado
- Marquis Williams Sentenced to Mail Theft, Hartford CT, 2023 · Puerto Rico
- United Parcel Service, Wage Theft, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Letitia James Demands ICE Identity Disclosure, New York, 2023 · Illinois
- Brandon Smith, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2014 · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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