In the justice system:
- Jennifer Freeman was indicted by a grand jury for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and possession of five or more identification documents. More.
- Four Jackson-area residents received federal prison sentences today of 22 months to 66 months for their involvement in an identity theft ring with victims as far away as New York and Arizona. Candance Brown, Kimberly Gentry, Latonja Casnel, and Jamaal Tyler pleaded guilty to identity theft and other federal charges in April. They were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Jackson. More. More.
- Everett police arrested an unnamed man who is believed to have been the head of an identity-theft ring that victimized hundreds of people. The ring involved 22 people, of whom 18 have been arrested. A year-long investigation showed that there have been at least 204 victims — but more are likely to be found — and losses of at least $70,000. More. Update: The arrested man is Craig “Smokey” Allan Galey. More.
- Sam Kennedy, also known as “Prince,” a citizen of Liberia last residing in the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty in Hartford to one count of bank fraud and one count of identity theft. More.
- Janice Singleton, a former tax preparer and corrections officer at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison today for stealing the identity of inmates, filing false tax returns on their behalf and pocketing the money. More.