For Release: August 2, 2006
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: jtmartin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
McDonnell Announces Felony Conviction in First Identity Theft Case
Louisa Woman Used Driver’s License, Checks, Stolen Mail to Steal Identities
Case Demonstrates Importance of Protecting Social Security Number
LOUISA – Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney R. Don Short today announced that Dawn Cherie Rumsey, 36, of Louisa pleaded guilty to all six identity theft related charges she was facing. The Defendant was convicted of three counts of felony identity theft and three counts of committing computer fraud with the identities. The charges represent victims from around the Commonwealth. The Defendant’s sentence includes the maximum 45 years and she will serve an active sentence of five years which represents one year for each victim. The remainder of the sentence will be suspended on the conditions that she makes restitution in the amount of almost $30,000.00 to the victims and does not have access to the internet or personal identifying information of others.
Speaking about the plea agreement, Attorney General McDonnell remarked, “This case demonstrates the need to pursue aggressively those who commit identity theft. And it further demonstrates how important it is for individuals not to give strangers their social security numbers or other private information. Our Computer Crime Unit will aggressively pursue identity thieves who steal identities from citizens of Virginia.”
The case was argued by Rusty McGuire, a member of the Computer Crime Unit of the Office of the Attorney General.
Employing various means, Rumsey obtained the personal identifying information of strangers, a neighbor and a family member. In one instance Rumsey was involved in a traffic accident with an elderly couple. When she exchanged info with the couple, she noticed that the driver still had her social security number on his driver’s license. She used the social security number to commit identity theft. In another instance, Rumsey used a social security number from a check she found in her mother’s possession. Rumsey also illegally came into possession of a neighbor’s mail, and used the information contained in it to commit identity theft. With the information she possessed, Rumsey then went on an online “fishing” expedition, using social security numbers and other pieces of information to apply for credit cards over the internet. After applying for numerous credit cards she was successful in obtaining credit cards in each of the victims’ names. Once she received the cards she went on a nearly $30,000.00 shopping spree.
The defendant’s arrest came about because of the cooperation and partnership between the Sheriff’s Offices in Greensville and Louisa Counties, the Henrico County Police Department, the United States Postal Service and the Computer Crime Unit in the Office of the Attorney General.
The crime of identity theft is a Class 1 misdemeanor but was elevated to a felony because the loss was greater than $200. Attorney General McDonnell successfully made it the law this past session of the General Assembly that to steal more than 5 peoples identifying information in one transaction is also a felony. However this law did not go into effect until July 1, 2006 and the offenses occurred prior to this date.
Victims of identity theft can face years of hardship trying to restore their credit. The Computer Crime Unit in the Office of the Attorney General offers assistance to those who have been victimized by identity theft and prosecutes identity theft and computer fraud cases with local prosecutors.
Click here to receive more information on Identity Theft or to apply for an Identity Theft Passport.
