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Florence Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Identify Theft

U.S. Attorney’s Office July 16, 2010
  • District of South Carolina (803) 929-3000

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney William N. Nettles stated today that Victoria Thomas, age 40, of Florence, SC, pled guilty today in federal court in Florence, to bank fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344, and aggravated identity theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Florence accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed a presentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Thomas entered into an agreement with another individual to open an ambulance service and convinced the other person to provide Thomas with her personal information, such as her date of birth and social security number. Thomas used this information to open an account at Wachovia Bank and at Advanta Bank Corporation. Thomas wrote checks on the Wachovia Bank account but did not have funds to cover the checks. Thomas also applied for credit and financing with Advance Business Capital, Amerifund, Alliance Funding Group, Brickhouse, Capital National Bankers Trust, PenTech Financial Services, and Fleet One, LLC., using the other individuals name and personal identifying information. As a result of Thomas’ activities, Wachovia Bank lost over $22,000.00.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty Thomas can receive is a fine of $1,000,000.00 and/or imprisonment for 32 years, plus a special assessment of $100.00.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Florence office handled the case.

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