Scheme to Purchase New Cars Using Stolen Identities Results in Two-Year Prison Term for Belleville Woman

Kyetia M. Hines, 36, of Belleville, Illinois, has been sentenced to two years in prison on her 
convictions for conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, announced Steven D. 
Weinhoeft, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The charges arise from a 
scheme to purchase new automobiles using stolen identities of other individuals.

In October 2018, Hines submitted an online credit application, under the name of an individual 
whose identity had been stolen, to Jansen Chevrolet in Germantown, Illinois. Then, on Nov. 1, 2018, 
Hines went to Jansen Chevrolet and purchased a new Chevy Malibu using that stolen identity. For 
purposes of obtaining financing to purchase the vehicle, Hines provided the dealership with 
fraudulent documents containing the stolen names. One such document was a fake temporary Illinois 
driver’s license bearing Hines’ picture and the stolen name.

Co-defendant Tamecia C. Buckley, 36, of Belleville, Illinois, has also pleaded guilty to charges of 
conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. At her plea hearing, Buckley admitted that 
she also purchased a car from Jansen Chevrolet using a stolen identity. Buckley is set to be 
sentenced on Jan. 23, 2020.

Both the charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud carry maximum sentences of 
twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory 
sentence of two years of imprisonment.

The investigation was conducted by agents from the FBI’s Springfield Division – Fairview Heights 
Resident Agency, the Illinois Secretary of State Police, and the Germantown, Illinois, Police 
Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman.

Investigators recovered both of the fraudulently purchased vehicles and returned them to Jansen  
Chevrolet.  Employees  of  Jansen  Chevrolet  cooperated  and  assisted  law enforcement
officials during the investigation.