MEMPHIS, TN – Jeremy Jones, 39, of Memphis, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury convicted him of a sprawling identity theft and financial fraud scheme that bilked financial institutions out of over $1.7 million. The six-day trial in U.S. District Court revealed a calculated operation targeting over 100 individuals, and brazen enough to include tampering with witnesses.
The indictment detailed how Jones pilfered the identities of acquaintances, unsuspecting car dealership customers, and, shockingly, over 145 patients of Memphis Neurology between 2011, 2012, and 2015. He then used this stolen information to apply for loans, open credit cards, and establish bank accounts – all without the knowledge or consent of the victims. A co-conspirator, an employee at Memphis Neurology, allegedly facilitated the theft by extracting patient data from the company’s database in exchange for compensation from Jones.
Federal prosecutors presented evidence showing Jones dispatched loan applications, checks, and other sensitive financial documents via the U.S. mail and internet, casting a wide net across the country. The potential loss from his scheme totals a staggering $1.7 million. Jones wasn’t just after money, however; he actively attempted to derail the investigation by tampering with two government witnesses, adding obstruction of justice charges to his mounting legal woes.
Originally indicted in February 2016 on charges of conspiracy to commit identity theft and mail fraud, as well as individual counts of identity theft, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft, the case was intensified with a superseding indictment on October 3, 2017. This updated indictment included two counts of obstruction of justice related to the witness tampering allegations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, led by D. Michael Dunavant, aggressively pursued the case.
“Identity theft and financial fraud of this magnitude and scale by the defendant has victimized hundreds of people by compromising their personal and private information for his own selfish and unjust enrichment,” stated U.S. Attorney Dunavant. “I am pleased that we have been able to hold the defendant accountable and achieve justice for the victims.” The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service.
Jones is set to be sentenced on March 8, 2018. He faces a potential prison term of up to 5 years for conspiracy, 5 years for identity theft, 20 years for mail fraud, a mandatory consecutive 2 years for aggravated identity theft, and another 20 years for obstruction of justice. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Damon K. Griffin and Murre Martindale successfully presented the complex case to the jury, securing the conviction and paving the way for a significant punishment.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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