JACKSONVILLE, FL – Charles Cornelius Smith, 35, of Jacksonville, Florida, is headed to federal prison for five years after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis handed down the sentence today, along with an order for Smith to fully reimburse the victims he defrauded.
The scheme, detailed in court documents, centered around stealing the personal information – name, date of birth, and Social Security number – of an unsuspecting victim. Smith didn’t stop there. He fabricated a counterfeit South Carolina driver’s license, replacing the photo with that of his accomplice, Zipporan Carmel Peters, but using the stolen identity. This fake ID was the key to unlocking access to the victim’s bank account.
Smith then drove Peters to multiple Navy Federal Credit Union branches in Clay and Duval Counties. Posing as the victim, Peters executed fraudulent transactions, draining large sums of cash and purchasing over $5,000 in gift cards. The pair didn’t limit their crimes to the credit union. They also hit multiple cellphone stores across the same counties, using the stolen identity to acquire thousands of dollars worth of smartphones and accessories.
“Technology has forever changed the way we do business, making every day financial transactions a prime target for fraud,” stated Glen M. Kessler, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. “This case should serve as a strong deterrent to those considering exploiting the identities of others to enrich themselves through fraud.” Kessler’s statement highlights the increasing sophistication of these crimes and the agency’s commitment to pursuing them.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the United States Secret Service (Jacksonville Field Office), the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange Park Police Department, uncovered the breadth of the operation. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein successfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing of Smith.
Peters, Smith’s co-defendant, is now scheduled to face trial on July 6, 2021. Authorities anticipate further details of the conspiracy will emerge during her proceedings. The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of personal information and the potential consequences of identity theft for both victims and perpetrators.
Related Federal Cases
- Charles Cornelius Smith, Aggravated Identity Theft, FL 2023 · South Carolina
- Michael Scott Hillwig, Identity Theft, Bank Fraud, Florida 2024 · South Carolina
- Roberto Diaz, Identity Theft, New Jersey 2012 · South Carolina
- Stolen Motorcycle Ring Leaders, Theft, Washington 2023 · Kentucky
- Heather A. Smith, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2014 · South Carolina
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
