Three Sentenced In Washington State I.D. Theft Operation

A Washington State Federal judge sentenced three members of an organized identity theft ring on Friday, according to a story in The Seattle Times. Rahsaan Moore, 25, (5+ years in prison, $544,000 in restitution) was sentenced for his role in the scheme, which reportedly was to manufacture fake driver's licenses, employee badges and counterfeit checks that he and his cohorts used to fraudulently obtain cash and merchandise. He used personal data that his co-conspirators stole from several institutions — including Virginia Mason Medical Center, Washington Mutual Bank and Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union — where they either worked as insiders or persuaded others to help them.

Also sentenced was Anthony Purdmon, 23, (30 months in prison, $106,500 in restitution) for his role in the conspiracy, which was to have his girlfriend steal information about people applying for home equity loans from Washington Mutual Bank, where she worked. He then passed along the stolen information to Moore so he could perform his handiwork.

Finally, April Tyson, 23, was sentenced (24 months in prison, $32,850 in restitution) for her role, which was to use the phony I.D. to withdraw money from at least three bank accounts. For more, see Forger in ID-theft ring sentenced to 5 years.