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Seattle Identity Thief Sentenced to 65 Months in Prison
A Seattle man who stole tens of thousands of dollars from a woman in her 70s while she lay dying in the hospital has been sentenced to 65 months in prison for identity theft and bank fraud. Dwayne Brooks, 38, was convicted of 10 federal felonies, including six counts of bank fraud and attempted bank fraud, two counts of use of unauthorized access devices, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Brooks’ scheme, which took place between November 2016 and April 2018, involved using debit cards, credit cards, checks, and other financial information stolen from mail, cars, and homes to steal money from multiple victims. One of his victims, a 78-year-old woman, ultimately died in the hospital while Brooks was looting her accounts.
During the scheme, Brooks repeatedly used her information to open credit accounts, drain bank accounts, and even attempted to obtain her power of attorney. A second victim, an 84-year-old Seattle woman, is still trying to untangle the fraud he committed against her accounts, including her retirement investment account. Brooks also stole and attempted to cash a $34,000 tax refund check.
Brooks’ total fraud exceeds $120,000, and he must pay restitution of $128,802. Judge James L. Robart noted that the 65-month sentence he handed down is on top of a 15-month sentence Brooks already served for related crimes in state prison.
Brooks began his ID theft scheme just months after being released from prison. He was sentenced to 55 months in prison in 2010 for armed robbery. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Duvall Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, Renton Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Diggs. Brooks is currently serving his sentence, which will be in addition to the 15 months he already served for related crimes in state prison.
The exact charges against Dwayne Brooks are six counts of bank fraud and attempted bank fraud, two counts of use of unauthorized access devices, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced on February 2020 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The total dollar amount of Brooks’ fraud exceeds $120,000, and he must pay restitution of $128,802.
Defendant: Dwayne Brooks
Criminal Charges: Six counts of bank fraud and attempted bank fraud, two counts of use of unauthorized access devices, and two counts of aggravated identity theft
City and State: Seattle, Washington
Exact Date: February 2020
Sentence or Outcome: 65 months in prison
Dollar Amounts: $120,000 in total fraud, $128,802 in restitution
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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