Defendant convicted of using identities of others to obtain new and take-over current credit cards for her own personal benefit
INDIANAPOLIS B United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today the conviction and sentencing of Arielle Wilkerson, age 25, to 57 months in federal prison after her admission of guilt to charges that she used the identities of victims throughout the United States to obtain new and take-over current credit cards and other financial instruments in the name of these victims for her own personal benefit, such as to purchase gift cards, airline tickets and other personal items.
"This sentence sends a strong message to those out there who steal victims’ identities and profit from the use of those identities, that this behavior is illegal and those who do so will face real consequences," said Minkler. "Protecting the public from the illegal use of personal information to commit fraud is a priority of this office."
From about 2012 through about March 16, 2018, Wilkerson devised a scheme to defraud banks and individuals throughout the United States, whereby she used the identities of many individuals, without their knowledge and authority, to obtain new and/or take-over current credit cards and other financial instruments in the name of these victims. Wilkerson then used those financial instruments to purchase gift cards and other personal items from stores located throughout the Southern District of Indiana and elsewhere, including through the internet.
At the sentencing hearing, the Court deemed Wilkerson "a consumer’s worst nightmare." Wilkerson obtained files over the internet containing personally identifiable information ("PII") of hundreds of individuals located throughout the United States, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, phone numbers, credit card numbers, and bank account and routing numbers. Wilkerson ran credit reports on some of the victims to identify the financial institutions at which those victims had accounts. Wilkerson then used these stolen identities at multiple banks in order to obtain new and/or take-over current credit cards and other financial instruments
in the name of the victim. Wilkerson used those credit cards to purchase gift cards, beauty products, clothing, food and other personal items and merchandise at a variety of locations around Fishers and Indianapolis, including at Target, Meijer, Lowes, Walgreens and Macys. Wilkerson also used these credit cards to purchase airline flights and hotel reservations. In certain circumstances, Wilkerson wired money from victim accounts to accounts controlled by Wilkerson. Wilkerson had an extensive criminal history pertaining to fraudulent offenses, and re-victimized some of the same victims she had been previously been convicted of victimizing. In total, the banks suffered actual losses totaling at least $115,360.38 and at least another $41,500.00 in attempted loss.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) as well as members of the Indiana Financial Fraud and Identity Theft Task Force.
"The identity theft crimes Wilkerson committed could eventually cause the victims immeasurable time in an effort to clear their good names," said Patricia Armstrong, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Division. "Not only did she use the U.S. Mail to further her scheme, but Wilkerson also targeted victims she had previously harmed. With this 57-month sentence, she will have time to reflect on her deeds."
According to Assistant United States Attorney MaryAnn T. Mindrum, who prosecuted this case for the government, Wilkerson must also serve four years of supervised release following her sentence.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who engage in fraudulent activity using identity fraud. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 4.4 and 4.5
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
