ANCHORAGE, AK – Two men from North Pole, Alaska are headed to federal prison after admitting to a calculated scheme of identity theft, fraud, and mail theft that bilked numerous victims out of thousands of dollars. U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced the sentencing of Andrew Mac Saunders, 43, and Ian David Bowman, 30, today, marking a significant victory for law enforcement battling the rising tide of identity-related crimes in the state.
Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline handed down a 40-month sentence to Saunders and a 52-month sentence to Bowman in Fairbanks. Both men pleaded guilty in March 2019 to federal identity theft charges. Beyond prison time, Saunders and Bowman are jointly responsible for $29,418 in restitution to their victims, with additional yearly payments mandated to cover the costs of identity theft protection. A final restitution hearing is scheduled for August 16, 2019.
The scheme unraveled on January 19, 2018, when the Alaska State Troopers (AST) responded to reports of the pair manufacturing counterfeit identification and checks. A subsequent search of their North Pole residence yielded a treasure trove of incriminating evidence: computers, hard drives, and printers revealing the full scope of the operation. Investigators discovered 51 unique counterfeit IDs, 10 bearing Saunders’ photo, 21 featuring Bowman, 20 with images of their accomplices, and all containing stolen victim data.
Court documents detail a brazen operation. Saunders and Bowman systematically stole mail from residences in Fairbanks and North Pole, using the pilfered information to create fraudulent driver’s licenses. Bowman procured specialized software and equipment, inserting his and his co-conspirators’ photos onto the licenses while maintaining the legitimate names, addresses, and driver’s license numbers of the victims. This allowed them to open lines of credit at major retailers and establish accounts at stores like Verizon and AT&T, purchasing high-value merchandise with the bogus IDs.
The merchandise wasn’t for personal use. Saunders, Bowman, and their network of accomplices quickly fenced the stolen goods for cash, which they then used to fuel a separate, equally illegal habit: purchasing narcotics. Judge Beistline minced no words at sentencing, characterizing the crime as driven by “greed,” “sophisticated,” and “premeditated,” emphasizing the considerable planning and effort involved. He also highlighted the escalating rate of identity theft nationwide and the need for strong deterrents to discourage similar offenses.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Alaska State Troopers (AST), Fairbanks Police Department (FPD), U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office of Law Enforcement and Security, and Alaska State Park Rangers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey skillfully prosecuted the case, securing convictions and ensuring that Saunders and Bowman will answer for their crimes behind bars. This case serves as a stark reminder that identity theft is not a victimless crime, and those who exploit others for personal gain will face the full weight of the law.
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Key Facts
- State: Alaska
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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