The Jan. 23 admission by a former employee of the Missouri Department of Revenue's Division of Taxation of her part in an identity theft scheme helped to bring that scheme to a close, according to documents filed last week in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
The lawyers for Krystal Stephens, 22, are trying to have that handwritten statement, which was given to United States postal inspectors L. George Callas and Randy Wilkins, an investigator with the Missouri attorney general's office, thrown out, saying she was not given her Miranda rights, and that her statement was involuntary and "was the result of mental and/or physical coercision, duress, and threats." In her statement, Ms. Stephens wrote:
"I worked for the Department of Revenue for the Truman Building doing taxation for the state. My sister, Anna Stephens, begged me for numbers for a long time 'til finally I gave in and gave her some Social Security numbers and a name, maybe 10 to 20, maybe, I'm not for sure. I wrote them on a time card sheet of paper and handed them off to Anna Stephens. Then I had nothing else to to do with them in the year of 2004 or 2005, not for sure, but pretty sure was 2004. She wanted the numbers so she could talk to Brandon Betts on the telephone. By using the numbers to get phones in other people's names because she was wanting to talk with her boyfriend, Brandon Betts. He was in Algoa Penitentiary State Prison. I'm very sorry. I should have been more strong-willed and not have done it to those people. She said she didn't use many, but she shouldn't have used any and it was partly my fault, but I don't work there anymore and don't plan to and would work there in that environment and put myself in my predicament any more. I want my high school diploma and to do hair. So I'm very sorry once again and hope you can please forgive me."
Ms. Stephens' statement was part of the evidence that led federal officials to indict seven people, including another former Department of Revenue employee and an employee of the Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, on charges of fraud and identity theft. The scheme resulted in a loss of at least $80,000 to telephone companies and an untold amount to credit card companies.
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Jefferson City.
2 comments:
Identity theft is no problem in Taney County, courtesy of the Sheriff's department. If you have a scanner listen on 155.43. When a person is stopped they check your license. If your Drivers License is your social security number the license check goes like this.....Jane Doe, white female, Missouri Soch (Lingo for Social Security Number) 123 45 6789,
showing an address of 108 E. Burlap St., Dingleville, Mo.
The dispatcher will come back and say valid out of Missouri. Oh by the way, one other check, Vehicle Identification Number 1KSV10832113 (phony number) . Dispatcher will come back and say checks back to your Doe subject, 1992 Dodge 4 door blue in color.
So, compliments of the Sheriff's department, what else do you need. Name, address, social security number and make and model of car you are driving and license number.
Then we fume over some little girl giving out a half dozen numbers.
So what's the big deal? You impersonate someone who knows what they are talking about.
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