Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

July 21, 2009

DIXON IDENTITY THIEF INDICTED

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a federal grand jury returned a 13-count indictment charging JONAH HANNEKE NELSON, 30, of Dixon, with bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud, counterfeiting securities, and possession of more than 15 access devices.

This case is the product of a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Solano County Sheriff’s Department.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Russell L. Carlberg, who is prosecuting the case, the indictment alleges that NELSON obtained bank account numbers and personal identification information of customers of Wells Fargo and other banks. NELSON opened bank accounts and credit accounts in the names of the victims. He deposited stolen and counterfeit checks into the bank accounts and then withdrew money. He used fraudulently opened credit accounts at Sears and Kay Jewelers to obtain goods and services. At the time of his arrest by Solano County authorities, he possessed more than 15 access devices and the names and account information of more than 500 Wells Fargo Bank customers.

“Identity theft is a rampant crime problem, which can wreak havoc on a victim’s good name and credit. This case reflects the priority given such cases by both local and federal authorities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brown.

On July 2, 2009, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly J. Mueller ordered NELSON detained as a flight risk pending trial. NELSON will be arraigned on the indictment today before United States Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan at 2:00 p.m.

The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of bank fraud is 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and a five year period of supervised release. The minimum statutory penalty for aggravated identity theft is two years on top of any other sentence. The other charges carry 10 year maximum penalties. However, the actual sentence will be dictated by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of factors, and will be imposed at the discretion of the court.

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.