Baltimore, MD – A Baltimore woman and her accomplice are headed to federal prison after a years-long scheme to defraud banks and retailers using stolen identities. Robin Summers-Grace, 50, of Baltimore, received a 42-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander, followed by five years of supervised release. Her co-conspirator, Joseph Pauling, 40, of Essex, Maryland, was previously sentenced to six years in prison, also with five years of supervised release. Both were ordered to pay restitution exceeding $139,000.
The operation, which ran from September 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, involved Pauling obtaining personal identifying information – social security numbers, addresses, and names – of unsuspecting victims. He then crafted counterfeit driver’s licenses featuring Summers-Grace’s photograph. Using specialized electronic equipment, Pauling manufactured fraudulent credit cards bearing the stolen identities. The pair systematically targeted retailers not just in Maryland, but in other states as well.
According to court documents, Pauling furnished Summers-Grace with the false identification and fabricated credit histories. She would then apply for store credit cards, leveraging the stolen information to purchase a wide array of high-value goods. Pauling, meanwhile, fenced the stolen merchandise – iPhones, iPads, flat-screen televisions, laptops, kitchen appliances, flooring, furniture, shoes, handbags, and designer watches – directly to “customers” on the street. Disturbingly, Pauling frequently took advance orders for specific items, pre-planning the thefts to fulfill demand.
Investigators uncovered that Pauling and Summers-Grace possessed the personal data of over 200 individuals, defrauding dozens of banks and countless retailers. The total intended loss from their scheme soared past $250,000. This wasn’t just petty theft; it was a calculated, large-scale operation that preyed on the financial security of hundreds. The U.S. Secret Service – Baltimore Field Office and the Baltimore County Police Department jointly investigated the case, bringing the duo to justice.
Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning praised the collaborative effort of the U.S. Secret Service and the Baltimore County Police Department. He specifically acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Maddox and Aaron Zelinsky, who successfully prosecuted the case. The sentencing sends a clear message: identity theft and bank fraud are serious federal crimes with severe consequences.
While the restitution order offers some measure of relief to the victims, the damage to their credit and peace of mind is immeasurable. This case highlights the constant threat of financial fraud and the dedication of law enforcement to dismantling these criminal enterprises. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal fraud cases and expose the perpetrators who exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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