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Identity Thief Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison
PHILADELPHIA – Benjamin Easley, 38, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 144 months in prison for his role in a massive identity theft ring that stole approximately $1.1 million from the banks they targeted.
Easley pleaded guilty in November 2014 to seven counts of bank fraud, 15 counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy. In a separate case, he also pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The cases were consolidated for sentencing. Easley obtained the personal and bank account information of victims, recruited people to pose as those victims to make fraudulent withdrawals and wire transfers from the victims’ accounts, and provided false identity documents to use to access the victims’ accounts.
U.S. District Court Judge Rufe ordered Easley to pay restitution of $595,289, serve five years of supervised release, and pay a $2600 special assessment.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service, with Assistant United States Attorneys KT Newton and Michael Lowe prosecuting the case.
The brazen scheme left a trail of financial devastation in its wake, with Easley and his co-conspirators targeting banks and stealing millions. Easley’s sentence is a fitting punishment for his role in the scheme.
Easley’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting personal and financial information. The public can take steps to safeguard their identities by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime|Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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