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Wichita Wire Fraud Lands Arizona Man Behind Bars
WICHITA, KAN. – In a shocking case of identity theft, Thomas Rye, 37, of Phoenix, Arizona, has been sentenced to two years in prison for using a stolen identity to try and purchase a $52,000 car from a Wichita auto dealer.
According to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, Rye pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with the incident, which occurred on January 2, 2016. Rye used a stolen identity for a credit check and attempted to use the victim’s credit to buy a Dodge Challenger Hellcat valued at $52,725.
However, mistakes in the credit application paperwork caught the attention of employees at Eddy’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, who became suspicious and called the police. Rye was subsequently arrested at the scene.
Beall commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department, the Wichita Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.
Rye’s sentence will be served concurrently with a sentence in another case in Arizona. The incident is part of a larger indictment alleging that Rye was part of an organization that attempted to fraudulently obtain a total of $3.5 million in credit and cash.
The indictment also alleged that the conspirators divided up the work of stealing mail from mailboxes, fraudulently applying for credit, and shopping with stolen identities.
Rye’s case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of identity theft and the importance of being vigilant when it comes to protecting one’s personal information.
Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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