A notorious identity thief and fraudster has been brought to justice in Indiana. Catherine A. Demaree, 65, was sentenced to 61 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt on [date] for her role in a complex mail fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme.
Demaree’s criminal record stretches back to 1978, with a staggering 22 convictions to her name. Most of these convictions were for felonies and related to fraud, forgery, and identity theft. For nearly 40 years, she has been using stolen identities and fake names to commit crimes in multiple states and throughout Indiana.
In this case, Demaree was caught using the identities of over 20 individuals in southern Indiana. She used their Social Security numbers and other identifying information to apply for bank loans and over 100 credit cards, which she used to make cash withdrawals and personal purchases. Her victims included her next-door neighbors, a friend who took her in after she lied about being abused, and an elderly woman she befriended online.
Demaree’s crimes were facilitated by her ability to exploit personal relationships for her own gain. She would often use her victims’ trust to gain access to their personal information, which she would then use to commit further crimes. Her actions have left a trail of financial devastation in her wake, with victims struggling to repair their credit for years.
Under federal law, Demaree will serve at least 52 months of her 61-month sentence. After her prison time, she will be closely supervised for 3 years. This sentence is by far the longest she has received to date, reflecting the severity of her crimes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Indianapolis, led by Josh J. Minkler, prosecuted the case against Demaree. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Linder worked tirelessly to ensure that Demaree was held accountable for her actions.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting one’s personal information and being cautious when sharing sensitive details with others. It also highlights the need for law enforcement to be vigilant in pursuing those who commit identity theft and other financial crimes.
Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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