Jeffco identity theft ring broken

Rocky Mountain News

Published November 23, 2006 at midnight

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An identity theft ring operating in the Denver metro area has been broken with the arrests of four people, Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey said today.

The ring operated between July 2005 and August 2006.

Two of the four, Ryan Paul Lackey, 27, of Frisco, and Jennifer Phuong Casabona, 28, of Palisade, were charged with racketeering, violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, identity theft, forgery, theft, possession of a controlled substance and computer crimes.

Also indicted but at-large are Joshua Brandon Moore, 22, and Brittney Pierce, 18, hometowns unknown.

According to a press release issued today, the four stole personal and financial information, forged stolen checks and forged prescriptions for amphetamines.

The credit card information was stolen from the Red Rose Café in Palisade that is owned and operated by Casabona’s family.

According to court records, the forged checks and stolen credit card information were used to purchase merchandise, services and gift cards from the Internet as well as from retail merchants.

"Dozens of merchants as well as financial institutions bear the initial loss, but these losses are passed on to us as consumers," Storey said.

Casabona also is accused of having stolen a wallet that an FBI agent inadvertently left on the counter of a sporting goods store in Lakewood.

By the time she and Lackey were arrested at the Denver West Inn 15 hours later, the FBI credentials had been altered to contain the photographs of Lackey and Casabona.

Both are in custody at the Jefferson County Detention Center and warrants have been issued for the arrest of Moore and Pierce.

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