A 48-year-old Des Moines woman has been accused of bank fraud and identity theft, according to a recent indictment.
Jennifer Suazo, also known as Jennifer Esperanza, was arrested on August 14, 2022, after initially fleeing from federal agents who attempted to arrest her on August 11, 2022. She is currently being held at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac pending trial.
According to the indictment, Suazo allegedly purchased victims’ identifying information from various sources, including the dark web, which she then used to open accounts at financial institutions in the victims’ names and to take over victims’ existing bank accounts.
To carry out this fraud, Suazo created identification documents in victims’ names but with her photograph on the ID. She also changed the mailing addresses for the accounts created or taken over so that she would receive all communications about the accounts and thereby hide her fraud and theft from the victims.
Suazo allegedly defrauded individual victims and financial institutions of at least $107,472 between 2019 and 2022. The indictment includes five counts of Bank Fraud and two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft.
Bank Fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, while Aggravated Identity Theft carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years, consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Des Moines Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Ly is prosecuting the case.
Related Federal Cases
- Travis Hill, Bank Fraud, Washington 2025 · Washington
- Michael Thompson, Bank Fraud, Washington, 2023 · New York
- HHS Office of Inspector General, Health Fraud, Washington D.C., 2024 · New York
- June Gibbs-Brown, Healthcare Fraud Enforcement, Washington DC, 1993 · Pennsylvania
- June Gibbs Brown, Health Care Fraud Fighter, Washington DC, 2023 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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