A St. Louis man has pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges after being found with the personal information of at least 10 identity theft victims. Darryon M. Sutherlin, 29, admitted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of identity theft.
According to court documents, Sutherlin used the stolen identity of a New Jersey resident on May 26, 2022, to finance a $25,850 loan for a BMW and secure an $8,500 personal loan. He also obtained two credit cards using the victim’s information.
On December 7, 2022, Sutherlin deposited two altered U.S. Treasury checks totaling over $10,000 into his own account and later transferred $6,000 to another account before spending the funds.
Authorities were alerted on January 31, 2023, when Sutherlin’s property manager called police after discovering marijuana and several driver’s licenses with different names but Sutherlin’s photo during a welfare check at his apartment. Police executed a search warrant and arrested him the next day. At that time, officers found stolen checks—including one partially washed—unauthorized bank cards and false driver’s licenses linked to more than ten victims.
Further investigation revealed about 23 unauthorized debit and credit cards, around 13 false driver’s licenses and two false Social Security cards in his possession. Police also recovered large amounts of bank paperwork and stolen mail containing remittance slips typically sent with bill payments.
Sutherlin also admitted applying for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on March 23, 2021 by falsely claiming ownership of a construction business and submitting fraudulent tax documents. He received $20,833 from the PPP loan program and spent most of it on cash withdrawals and personal expenses.
After being indicted on May 15, 2024, Sutherlin used another stolen identity—this time belonging to a Massachusetts man—to obtain an $8,500 loan from an Illinois credit union branch. He withdrew these funds immediately after receiving them. Since this new offense was discovered he has remained in jail.
Sutherlin is scheduled for sentencing on January 26. The maximum penalty for identity theft is up to fifteen years in prison or a fine up to $250,000 or both; restitution will be ordered for his victims.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; and U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.
"Sutherlin admitted using the stolen identity of a New Jersey resident to finance a $25,850 loan for a 2016 BMW 328i on May 26, 2022."
"Sutherlin used the New Jersey man’s name, Social Security number and a fake ID to obtain a personal loan of $8,500."
"Sutherlin also obtained two credit cards in the victim’s name."
"On Dec. 7, 2022, Sutherlin deposited two stolen U.S. Treasury checks...into his personal bank account."
"The checks had been altered to be made payable to Sutherlin."
"In total...police recovered about 23 unauthorized debit and credit cards...about 13 false driver’s licenses...and 2 false Social Security cards..."
"In addition...Sutherlin admitted seeking a Paycheck Protection Program loan...by falsely claiming that he ran a construction business..."
"After receiving a $20,833 PPP loan...Sutherlin immediately withdrew...the loan funds in cash..."
"After he was indicted on May 15,...Sutherlin obtained a loan of $8,500 from a credit union branch in Collinsville,...by using the stolen identity of a Massachusetts man."
"Sutherlin has been in jail since the new offense was discovered."
