COLUMBUS, OH – A brazen identity theft ring operating across the Southern District of Ohio and neighboring states has been dismantled with the indictment of five individuals, the Department of Justice announced today. The group allegedly racked up $150,000 in losses by fraudulently opening and using credit lines at major retail chains.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman, alongside Frank S. Turner II of IRS Criminal Investigation, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs, and Jason Hayden of the Secret Service, revealed the charges stemming from a probe by the Southern Ohio Financial Crimes Task Force. The indictment details a two-year scheme – from January 2014 to January 2016 – built on stolen personal information and carefully orchestrated in-store purchases.
At the center of the operation is Kwame E. McCauley, 35, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, identified as the ringleader. McCauley faces the most severe charges: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 20 counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Also indicted are Deangelo D. Simms, 26, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Shirley M. Dillen, 43, of Westerville, Ohio; Julie E. Ring, 38, of Columbus, Ohio; and Robert S. Tingler, 32, of Columbus, Ohio, each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and varying counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The indictment paints a picture of meticulous planning. McCauley allegedly obtained victims’ Social Security numbers and dates of birth, then ran credit reports using websites like CreditKarma. He then created fake IDs featuring the stolen information but with photographs of his co-defendants – the “shoppers” who physically made the purchases. The group targeted stores across Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, including Best Buy, Elder Beerman, Buckle, Menard’s, Meijer, and Cabela’s. They reportedly prepped for each store visit by reviewing the victim’s credit history, enabling them to answer security questions posed by store employees.
Investigators say the ring successfully opened new and used existing lines of credit on approximately 80 separate occasions. If convicted, the defendants face stiff penalties: up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and a mandatory two-year sentence for each count of aggravated identity theft. All five defendants were taken into custody today by Task Force agents.
“This case demonstrates the relentless pursuit of financial criminals by the Southern Ohio Financial Crimes Task Force,” stated U.S. Attorney Glassman. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J.C. Grey is leading the prosecution. It’s crucial to remember that this indictment represents allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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