A federal grand jury has indicted Stephen H. Keith, 35, of East Peoria, Illinois, on charges of wire fraud and identity theft. The indictment alleges that Keith operated a company called DeviceLyfe, which was not registered with the State of Illinois. Authorities say he used this business to gain access to individuals’ homes and electronic devices in order to steal personal information.
According to the indictment, Keith downloaded personal and financial data from the internet and stored information belonging to tens of millions of people. He is accused of using this information to create or attempt to create false identification documents, access victims’ accounts, steal funds, and impersonate his victims.
Keith faces multiple charges: four counts of wire fraud; one count of obtaining information by computer from a financial institution; three counts related to possession of means of identification; two counts of aggravated identity theft; and one count for making a false statement.
He was first charged by federal criminal complaint in December 2025 and remains in federal custody.
If convicted, Keith could face up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge. Other charges carry penalties up to five years per count. The aggravated identity theft charges require mandatory consecutive sentences of two years each. Additional penalties may include fines and forfeiture of assets.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Springfield Field Office led the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Douglas F. McMeyer is prosecuting the case.
“Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.”
