DAYTON, OH – A pair of Dayton residents are facing federal charges after a two-year investigation revealed a brazen scheme to steal identities and drain bank accounts, preying on the chaos left in the wake of the devastating 2019 tornadoes that ripped through the Greater Dayton area. Myrtle Lynn “Mi Mi” Jackson, 38, and Joshua Dylan “Jo Jo” Chapman, 29, allegedly exploited the vulnerability of storm-damaged communities, targeting both occupied and abandoned homes, vehicles, and mailboxes.
The U.S. Secret Service, leading the investigation, uncovered evidence that Jackson and Chapman conspired to pilfer checks, credit cards, debit cards, bank account details, and even Social Security numbers. The 17-count indictment alleges the duo used this stolen information to fuel a lavish lifestyle, racking up over $130,000 in illicit gains. Most disturbingly, investigators found a pattern of targeting elderly and otherwise vulnerable individuals, leaving them reeling from financial and emotional damage.
According to court documents, the pair weren’t shy about how they spent their ill-gotten funds. The indictment details purchases at Walmart, Dollar General, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Lees Famous Chicken, alongside motel stays and gambling excursions at a Dayton casino. They also allegedly used the stolen identities to fraudulently apply for personal loans, student loans, unemployment benefits, and additional credit and debit cards – a systematic abuse of the financial system.
“This case demonstrates the investigative capabilities of the United States Secret Service and should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering taking part in a similar scam,” stated Jack Davis, Resident Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Dayton Resident Office. Davis also highlighted the strong partnership with the Dayton Police Department, emphasizing the collaborative effort to disrupt criminal groups preying on local communities. The Secret Service rarely handles cases of this type, but the scale and brazenness of the operation drew their attention.
Both Jackson and Chapman appeared in federal court this week, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter B. Silvain, Jr. ordered them detained pending trial. They are charged with identity fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft of U.S. mail, Social Security fraud, and access device fraud. The charges represent a significant blow to a scheme that thrived on exploiting hardship and vulnerability.
Acting United States Attorney Vipal J. Patel for the Southern District of Ohio announced the charges, commending the work of the Secret Service and Dayton Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwight K. Keller is prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an allegation, and both Jackson and Chapman are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the evidence, as presented, paints a grim picture of calculated exploitation and callous disregard for the victims whose lives they upended.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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