Charlotte Woman Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft Ring
Jessica Bailey Sowell, a 32-year-old woman from Charlotte, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for her involvement in an identity theft ring that defrauded victims and racked up nearly half a million dollars in debt. According to federal prosecutors, Sowell led a life of crime, assuming at least 26 different identities during her criminal activities.
During a search warrant at a hotel room where Sowell was staying, federal agents discovered a unique weapon – a Taurus G3 9mm handgun bedazzled with sequins on the barrel. This lavish weapon added to the intrigue of Sowell’s crimes.
Sowell used stolen credit cards and fake driver’s licenses to make fraudulent purchases at various retailers, from everyday items at Target and Walmart to high-end clothing and luxury cars. She created fake identification documents using stolen personal information and used them to obtain money, merchandise, and to rent hotel rooms and cars.
Investigators found letters, bank cards, and checks belonging to 26 victims of identity theft in Sowell’s possession. Additionally, they seized a suitcase filled with hundreds of pieces of mail with different names and addresses, as well as a second suitcase packed with store-tagged merchandise.
Further evidence against Sowell included two handwritten journals containing the names and credit information of multiple victims, as well as 23 driver’s licenses from different states with Sowell’s photograph. In a rental vehicle used by Sowell, investigators found a credit card belonging to an identity theft victim, receipts for purchases made with the victim’s card, an identity card printer, blank identity cards, and holographic stickers.
Sowell’s crime spree began in October 2018 when she and her three accomplices used stolen mail and real estate listings to steal identities. They created fake identification cards with the victims’ names but their own photographs, opened credit cards at various retailers, and purchased vehicles from multiple CarMax dealerships in the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Despite her elaborate schemes, Sowell’s crimes eventually caught up with her, leading to her sentencing of 57 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unlawful possession of a firearm. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $47,190.25.
Sowell’s case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of identity theft and the importance of safeguarding personal information to prevent falling victim to such crimes.
