HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Hurricane, West Virginia woman is staring down the barrel of a potential 42-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a brazen scheme involving stolen identity and fraudulent credit card purchases. Laura Danielle Jackson, 32, admitted in federal court today to two counts of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The case began to unravel after Jackson, then an employee at a South Charleston business, pilfered the personal identification information of a job applicant on September 17, 2018. Instead of reporting the breach, she weaponized it. Within 24 hours, Jackson allegedly applied for and successfully obtained two separate credit cards using the victim’s stolen details. The fraudulent cards were promptly shipped to her residence in Hurricane.
According to court documents, Jackson didn’t hesitate to activate the cards and unleash a spending spree. Over a ten-day period, she racked up a total of $10,626.70 in purchases, acquiring goods, merchandise, and other items of value – all funded by the stolen identity of an unsuspecting applicant. The scheme, while relatively short-lived, left a significant financial and personal impact on the victim.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson announced the guilty plea, lauding the collaborative effort that brought Jackson to justice. The U.S. Secret Service took the lead on the investigation, receiving crucial support from the South Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Virginia State Police. These agencies worked together to piece together the evidence and build a solid case against Jackson.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Blackwell leading the prosecution. Jackson is scheduled for sentencing on December 19, 2022. If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum penalty of 42 years behind bars, followed by six years of supervised release, and a hefty $750,000 fine. This case underscores the Secret Service’s ongoing commitment to combating financial crimes and protecting citizens from identity theft.
Court documents related to Case No. 3:22-cr-16 are available for review on the PACER system, and a full press release detailing the case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. This investigation serves as a stark reminder that identity theft is a serious federal crime with severe consequences, and those who engage in such activities will be relentlessly pursued and prosecuted.
Related Federal Cases
- Jeffrey Phares, Cemetery Fraud, West Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
- Gabriele Wohl Deploys Election Fraud Task Force, West Virginia, 2016 · West Virginia
- Bradley Temple, Unlawful Money Transactions, West Virginia, 2023 · West Virginia
- Nitesh Ratnakar, Tax Evasion, West Virginia, 2023 · North Carolina
- Jeffery Hall Sentenced to 2 Years for Mail Fraud, Orlando FL, 2023 · West Virginia
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News