HOUSTON -- Thirty-eight people have been accused in an identity theft ring that targeted at least 500 victims, deputies told KPRC Local 2.

Investigators checking out fraudulent loans arrested Wesley Dixon in February. He is accused of using identities of more than 500 people when they applied for loans that added up to more than $230,000.

Fort Bend Sheriff's investigators said they believe he headed up the criminal organization.

Deputy Craig Brady said, "They would take patients' identifying information and sell it to some of the upper echelon of this organization. They would use that information to get small, payday-type loans -- $800, $1,000 at a time."

Investigators are trying to find Tracy Spencer-Gilmore. Chante Small has been arrested. Both are accused of stealing patients' confidential financial information from their clinic employers.

Spencer-Gilmore worked for Kelsey-Seybold Clinic at the west and Fort Bend locations.

Kelsey-Seybold spokesman Ed Davis said, "Our patients trust us with not only their health care needs, but the information that they give us about themselves. So, just as they would take that information very seriously, we take it very seriously, as they do."

Small worked for HCA-Clear Lake Regional Medical Center.

It released a statement saying, "Clear Lake Regional Medical Center is committed to patient privacy. All of our employees must pass a criminal background check before they are hired. When we were made aware of this issue, we terminated the employee, and we have cooperated fully with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office."