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Identity Thief Charged with Aggravated ID Theft
A 31-year-old man from Rochester, New York, has been charged with a serious case of identity theft. Michael Debardlabon, along with his 25-year-old accomplice Maria English, allegedly stole the identities of two Florida residents to purchase high-end vehicles.
According to the charges, between November 2012 and September 2013, Debardlabon and English used the personal information of the two Florida residents to obtain financing for three vehicles: an Infinity, a Lexus, and a BMW. The financial institutions involved included ESL and Ally Financial. The victims never authorized the financial transactions, and one of the vehicles was even purchased using the name and social security number of a third Florida resident.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee stated that the defendants’ actions carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charges also include bank fraud and access device fraud. The investigation into the case was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Rochester Police Department.
Debardlabon made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman on Monday and is currently being held pending a detention hearing on July 29, 2014. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and Debardlabon is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation into the case involved the use of personal information to commit financial crimes. The charges highlight the importance of protecting one’s identity and being cautious when dealing with financial transactions. The case serves as a reminder that identity theft can have serious consequences, including financial loss and damage to one’s credit score.
The United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Shelly Binkowski, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, worked together to bring the defendants to justice. The case is a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in fighting against financial crimes.
RELATED: Identity Thief Raked in $114K Using Dead Man’s Social Security
RELATED: Identity Thief Rakes in $114K in Fake Social Security
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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