Zachary Patrick, Identity Theft, Illinois 2022

Identity Theft Scam in East-Central Illinois

BENTON, Ill. - A brazen identity theft scheme in east-central Illinois has been brought to a close with the guilty plea of Zachary Patrick, 30, of Oblong, and Briana Blair, 31, of Robinson.

According to court documents, Patrick and Blair stole checks and personal identifying information from a series of victims, often by breaking into the victims' vehicles. The pair then used the victims' information to write and deposit fraudulent checks, forge victims' signatures, and withdraw and spend thousands of dollars as they traveled around eastern Illinois and western Indiana.

The pair was eventually caught in a hotel parking lot in Brazil, Indiana, breaking into yet another vehicle. Patrick and Blair initially identified themselves to law enforcement using two of the identities they had stolen, but eventually admitted to their true identities. Law enforcement recovered a pile of stolen IDs, credit cards, and financial information after their arrest.

The pair pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit financial institution fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. They are scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2022, and face a mandatory minimum of two years in prison and a statutory maximum of as many as 32 years in prison.

“All who have been victimized by identity theft and its related crimes understand just how serious and far-reaching its consequences can be,” said United States Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed is prosecuting the case.

The crime was reported to have taken place in various locations, including but not limited to Oblong, Illinois, and Brazil, Indiana.

Zachary Patrick's name, age, and address are: 30-year-old Zachary Patrick, of Oblong, Illinois.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/crawford-county-pair-plead-guilty-vehicle-break-and-identity-theft-scheme