| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF1034 & 11CF0750 April 28, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
WOMAN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR ROLE IN IDENTITY THEFT RING AND FOR STEALING ANOTHER VICTIM’S IDENTITY
SANTA ANA – A woman was sentenced today to three years in state prison for her role in a criminal identity theft ring and for stealing the identity of a new victim while out of custody on bail. Georgia Lichia Su, 41, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of second degree commercial burglary and forgery in Case # 11CF0750, and one felony count each of conspiracy to commit grand theft and forging an access card in Case # 10CF1034.
Circumstances of Case #10CF1034
Between January and April of 2010, the Tustin Police Department (TPD) conducted an investigation and arrested multiple defendants for making thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases using stolen identities at Best Buy stores throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. As a result of the investigation, TPD determined that the individual defendants were operating as part of a larger identity theft ring.
Su was a mastermind in the identity theft ring. She mass-produced fraudulent credit cards in her home using stolen identities and distributed them to other individuals to make fraudulent purchases on her behalf.
On April 28, 2010, TPD and Orange Police Department detectives searched the defendant’s home. Su was in possession of thousands of stolen identities, laser printers, blank credit cards and a credit card making machine. The defendant was charged by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) April 30, 2010. On June 7, 2010, Su posted $100,000 bail and was released.
While out of custody on bail in this case, Su committed new identity theft crimes.
Circumstances of Case #11CF0750
In January 2011, victim M. Meeker’s wallet, credit cards, checks, and driver’s license were stolen from her vehicle parked outside of her residence. Su obtained the stolen identifying information to create fictitious checks in the victim’s name and a fake driver’s license with the victim’s name and defendant’s photograph. Su used Meeker’s stolen identity to make fraudulent purchases at Costco, a grocery store, and other retail locations. TPD began investigating this case.
On Feb. 4, 2011, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) detained Su in the course of investigating an unrelated case for another person, who was found residing in the defendant’s home. When detained by IPD, Su was in possession of blank fake checks in Meeker’s name and a Costco membership card and driver’s license in Meeker’s name with Su’s photograph. This evidence was turned over to TPD for their identity theft investigation.
Su was charged by the OCDA March 22, 2011, and arrested March 23, 2011, by TPD.