2 Women Accused Of Stealing Multiple Identities
POSTED: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
UPDATED: 12:28 pm CDT May 15,
2007
PASADENA, Texas -- Two women have been arrested and accused of stealing multiple identities, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.
Pasadena police said Jennifer Baines Johnson, 40, and Tarsha Nicole Jones, 30, have each been charged with one count of tampering with a government document.
Investigators said the women used fake identification and submitted false information on a government form while applying for tax service employment with Jackson-Hewitt tax services.
Police said the investigation began when someone reported that another person used their identity to obtain a cash loan from HSCB Bank in New Jersey through the Jackson-Hewitt location in the 3800 block of Shaver Street.
Four other similar cases at the Pasadena location were reported a short time later, detectives said. Two more cases were reported at the Sharpstown Jackson-Hewitt location, including one case that involved a victim at the Pasadena location.
The investigation led police to Johnson and Jones. Detectives served a search warrant at their home in the 19900 block of Black Pearl Court on Thursday.
Tax records, Texas driver's licenses and Social Security cards in a variety of names and a lamination machine in the home, police said. Detectives said they also discovered computers containing information associated with the production and use of fraudulent identification.
Investigators seized numerous items that they said were obtained illegally, including a barbecue pit on a trailer, five vehicles, two miniature racing motorcycles, three computers, two big-screen TVs and jewelry. Police also found $16,000 in cash, 11 MasterCards, and documentation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that indicated Johnson and Jones made claims as hurricane evacuees from Beaumont.
Detectives said Johnson and Jones are believed to have been involved in fraudulent activity for about two years and could face additional charges.
Johnson and Jones are being held in the Harris County Jail with bond set at $400,000 each.
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