GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Lauren Montgomery, a 29-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of Possession of Fifteen or more Unauthorized Access Devices. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in South Dakota, marks the latest chapter in a sprawling investigation into identity theft and fraud.
Montgomery, who was indicted on March 22, 2016, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on October 28, 2016. In court, she denied the charges against her, which stem from an alleged incident on March 9, 2015, near Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
According to the Justice Department’s United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler, if convicted, Montgomery could face a decade in custody and a fine of up to $250,000, along with three years of supervised release. Additionally, she may be ordered to pay restitution to victims of her alleged crimes.
The charges against Montgomery involve the possession of 15 or more unauthorized and counterfeit access devices, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers that were issued to other individuals. The investigation into this case is being led by the Department of the Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman handling the prosecution.
Montgomery was released on bond pending trial, allowing her to remain free while the legal proceedings unfold. This case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of cybercrime and the lengths to which some individuals will go to steal personal information for fraudulent purposes.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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