ST. LOUIS – Deleon Ford, 32, of Ferguson, Missouri, is trading the streets for a federal cell after being sentenced to four years in prison for a brazen identity theft scheme. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey delivered the sentence Tuesday, along with an order for Ford to repay $26,812 in stolen funds.
Ford pleaded guilty in March to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. The scope of his operation was revealed in court: Ford didn’t just lift one or two identities, he systematically pilfered the personal information of thirteen individuals, turning their lives upside down for his own profit. The stolen identities weren’t used for petty purchases, either.
Court documents detail a calculated fraud. Ford used the stolen information to open fraudulent financial accounts, secure unsecured loans, rent a U-Haul truck, and even open a cell phone account. He didn’t rely on luck; he forged fake pay stubs, doctored utility bills, and fabricated bank statements to bolster his applications, meticulously crafting a false paper trail to deceive lenders.
The scheme wasn’t limited to direct financial gain for Ford himself. Investigators uncovered evidence that Ford actively assisted an inmate at an Illinois jail, helping them obtain loans using the identities of others. This added layer of conspiracy demonstrates a willingness to exploit vulnerable individuals and further compound the criminal activity.
In total, Ford attempted to steal over $40,000 through his fraudulent activities, successfully obtaining loans, cellphone service, and the rental truck. While he didn’t manage to siphon off the full amount, the damage to the victims’ credit and financial standing is substantial. The $26,812 restitution order barely scratches the surface of the harm inflicted.
The case was a joint effort by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Ellisville (Missouri) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry led the prosecution, ensuring Ford faced the consequences of his actions. This sentencing sends a clear message: stealing identities and defrauding financial institutions will not be tolerated, and those who engage in such crimes will be brought to justice.
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Related Federal Cases
- Ford Gets Four Years for Identity Theft Spree · Illinois
- Bankruptcy Bandit: MD Man Gets 90 Months for $1.8M Scam · Washington
- Maryland Man Gets 90 Months for $1.8M Bankruptcy Scam · Washington
- Keith JD Offord Indicted in $500K Identity Theft Scheme · Illinois
- Heidi Jones Sentenced in Multi-State ID Theft Spree · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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