N. Charleston Woman Charged with Identity Theft, Fraud

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Shirley T. Watson, age 24, of North Charleston, was charged in a three-count federal Indictment with unlawful use of a Social Security Number, identity fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Federal investigators allege that Watson used the personal identification of her grandparents and a roommate without their knowledge to apply for more than $200,000.00 in student loans.

The maximum penalty Watson faces if convicted on all counts is 17 years in federal prison, plus a fine of $500,000.00.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Myrtle Beach Identity Thief Gets 7 Years

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Abdurrahman Cetin, age 43, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced in federal court for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Cetin to 84 months imprisonment, to be followed by five years on supervised release. Cetin was also ordered to pay $40,246.53 in restitution.

Evidence presented at trial established that Cetin collected the personal and financial information of customers of a Toyota dealer in Long Island, New York, while working there as a salesman in 1999. Cetin saved the information and when he moved to Myrtle Beach, he used the information to open five bank accounts and obtain lines of credit at two Myrtle Beach banks. When opening the accounts, Cetin supplied other people’s names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. Cetin then withdrew money on the lines of credit he had established. Cetin was arrested at one of the banks and a search of his residence turned up six drivers licenses with Cetin’s picture on them but in other people’s names, and 37 credit cards which had been issued matching the names on the counterfeit drivers licenses. Other individuals’ credit reports and a computer used by Cetin to order counterfeit drivers licenses were also found.

The case was investigated by the Myrtle Beach Police Department and agents of the United State Secret Service Administration. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, Il, of the Florence office handled the case.

COLUMBIA FARMS SUPERVISOR SENTENCED

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that John Jairo Johnson-Amaya, age 51, was sentenced today in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, for aggravated identity theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. United States District Judge Henry Herlong, Jr., sentenced Johnson-Amaya to 24 months in prison. Johnson-Amaya faces deportation after he completes his prison sentence.

Johnson-Amaya had been employed as a supervisor at the Columbia Farms’ Greenville chicken processing plant. A work site enforcement operation by agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement last October revealed that Johnson-Amaya had used another person’s social security number on the employment forms he submitted to Columbia Farms.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office handled the case.