Identity Thieves Sentenced

The United States goverment announced today that the last of a trio of identity thieves was sentenced today. United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott said that Natosha Saunders, 22, of Sacramento, received a three-year term of probation, including six months of home detention for credit card fraud and identity theft. Co-defendants Kelvin Banister, 25, of Sacramento, was sentenced March 4, 2008 to 24 months in federal prison, and Jasmine Johnston, 22, was sentenced November 30, 2007 to 18 months in federal prison. The three defendants were ordered by the court to pay restitution to the victims of the fraud, including Target and several banks. These sentences follow the pleas of guilty by the defendants to computer fraud.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Robin R. Taylor, who prosecuted the case, the defendants used multiple stolen credit card numbers and credit cards at Target stores throughout the Sacramento Valley to make purchases. They admitted in court that they were able to use stolen credit cards to make purchases even if the cards were initially declined at the cash register. According to court documents, the defendants would instruct the cashiers to enter “override codes” into the cash register, and the transactions would then be processed allowing them to purchase merchandise. As a result, the defendants fraudulently purchased, and attempted to purchase, gift cards and merchandise valued at more than $50,000.