Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Jaime H. Fort (36, Orlando) to 5 years and 5 months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and bank fraud. He pleaded guilty on July 26, 2017.
According to court documents, between January and March 2016, Fort and two of his associates executed a scheme to defraud several federally-insured financial institutions. As part of the scheme, they obtained the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of identity theft victims and used these stolen identities to create counterfeit Florida driver’s licenses. They then used the counterfeit licenses to obtain financing from banks, in the victims’ names. The conspirators purchased three luxury vehicles at Orlando-area car dealerships with this financing, including two Mercedes-Benz vehicles and a Cadillac Escalade. They then sold these vehicles for cash.
Fort and his associates also used the counterfeit licenses to obtain credit and make fraudulent purchases in victims’ names at various retail stores in the Orlando area. In total, Fort is responsible for more than $175,000 in actual or attempted purchases made using credit obtained in the names of his victims.
Fort’s associates, Sena Howell and Sean White, were also charged for their roles in this case. Howell pleaded guilty and was sentenced on March 16, 2017, to 27 months’ imprisonment. White is currently a fugitive and remains at large.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
