Jonathan Whalley, Mail Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, Vermont 2025 · Alabama
Derrell Lee, Identity Theft and Bank Fraud, VT 2024 · New York
Aaron Laws, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, Georgia 2024 · Georgia
Melvin Hill, Fentanyl Distribution and Possession, Vermont 2022 · Vermont
Matthew Senator Melvin, Mail Fraud Money Laundering Making a False Statement, Vermont 2017 · New York

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St. Albans Man Charged with Aggravated Identity Theft and Fraud
- Key Facts

St. Albans Man Charged with Aggravated Identity Theft and Fraud

Burlington, Vermont – In a shocking case of identity theft, a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jonathan Whalley, 50, of St. Albans, Vermont, with aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud.

According to court records, a Burlington resident reported the theft of several of his identity documents from his vehicle in Burlington in March 2022. In April and May 2022, Whalley used that individual’s identifying information and identity documents to purchase six vehicles in the State of Georgia, finance and insure those vehicles, obtain Vermont vehicle registrations, open a bank account, and create a Gmail account to facilitate the fraud scheme.

Whalley entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on March 20, 2024, before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Whalley be detained during the pendency of this matter.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Whalley is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Whalley faces a mandatory term of 2 years in prison on the aggravated identity theft charge, up to 20 years in prison on the wire and mail fraud charges, and up to 30 years in prison on the bank fraud charge. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles’ Enforcement and Safety Division (Investigative Section) and Homeland Security Investigations.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Corinne Smith. Whalley is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.