A St. Louis woman has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for her role in a credit card fraud scheme that bilked several elderly victims out of more than $112,588.
Cherri Barton, 57, was sentenced to 57 months in prison on charges of aggravated identity theft and access device fraud after a scheme to defraud several elderly victims and credit card issuers between August 2012 and May 2015.
According to court documents, Barton began telephoning elderly people in August 2012, claiming their utilities were in danger of being disconnected due to lack of payment. In order to continue service, they were required to provide a credit card number.
Barton then used the information to purchase items, including gift cards, and added herself as an authorized user to the credit accounts of the victims. She also transferred the telephone services of some of the victims to her cell phone, allowing her to intercept calls from creditors.
Barton pleaded guilty in January to one felony count of aggravated identity theft and three felony counts of access device fraud.
The case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis County Police Department, and several city police departments in the St. Louis area.
Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Barton appeared in court on [no date specified] before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson, where she was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
The scheme resulted in over $112,588 in losses for the victims and their creditors.
Related Federal Cases
- Haben Sebhatu, Credit Card Fraud, Missouri 2016 · Washington
- Carla Rathmann, Mail Fraud and Credit Card Fraud, Missouri 2000 · Illinois
- Cari Gillmore, Credit Card Fraud, Missouri 2015 · Illinois
- Robert Keehner, Fraud Using Property Mortgaged or Pledged to Farm Credit Agencies, Missouri 2016 · Illinois
- Camille Childress, Healthcare Fraud, Missouri 2021 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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