TOMMY JOE COPLEN

Aliases:

Claude Branum, Claud E. Branum, Claude E. Branum, Claud Branum, Claud B. Branum, George Summers, Richard Smith, Richard E. Smith, Richard W. Smith, Richard Coplen, Monroe K. Hanna, Jim Kearns, Merrill Coplen, George Sommers, Tommy Joe Copeland, Tommie Joe Coplen, Trommy Joe Coplen, Tommy Joe Copelan, Tom Coplen, Tommy Coplen, K. Monroe Hanna

DESCRIPTION

CAUTION

Tommy Joe Coplen is being sought for his alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud financial institutions and other businesses in Arizona. It is alleged that from 2000 to 2003, Coplen utilized an identity theft and credit card kiting scheme in which he fraudulently made balance transfers and cash advances, to or from credit cards applied for with alias information. The fraudulent balance transfers and cash advances were estimated at more than $68,000. Also, more than $200,000 allegedly was made in credit card purchases in the United States and Mexico. Additionally, during mid August of 2002, Coplen allegedly made numerous large dollar purchases with false identifications, by applying for large loans for the purchase of several vehicles. Additionally, this fraudulent activity took place in Arizona.

Coplen was initially indicted in December of 2004, by a federal grand jury in Tucson, Arizona, and a federal arrest warrant was issued. The indictment was superseded in March of 2005, charging Coplen with the following crimes: conspiracy; false statement to a federally insured financial institution; fraud in connection with identification documents and information; interstate transportation of stolen property; aiding and abetting; and fraudulent use of social security account numbers. A superseding federal warrant then was issued for Coplen's arrest on March 25, 2005, by the United States District Court, District of Arizona.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PERSON, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FBI OFFICE OR THE NEAREST AMERICAN EMBASSY OR CONSULATE.