Charles Cornelius Smith (35, Jacksonville) and Zipporan Carmel Peters (31, Jacksonville) have been charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and one count of false representation of a Social Security number.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez, and carry severe penalties. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for the conspiracy to commit bank fraud, up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the false representation of a Social Security number, and a 2-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment on each aggravated identity theft count.
According to the indictment, Smith obtained the personal identification information of a victim, including the name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Using this information, Smith provided Peters with a counterfeit South Carolina driver license using the identity information of the victim, but with Peters’s photo on it.
Smith then drove Peters to different branches of the Navy Federal Credit Union where Peters subsequently made various fraudulent transactions, using the victim’s identity. The indictment alleges that the pair worked together to commit these crimes, with Smith providing the fake identification and Peters carrying out the transactions.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. Smith and Peters made their initial appearance in federal court and were detained until their arraignment hearing on September 1, 2020.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange Park Police Department, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to combating identity theft and fraud in all its forms.
The charges against Smith and Peters are a reminder that identity theft and fraud can have serious consequences, both for the victims and the perpetrators. The use of counterfeit identification and false representation of a Social Security number are serious crimes that can result in significant prison time. As the case against Smith and Peters moves forward, it will be important to watch for any developments and to see how the prosecution unfolds.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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