Colorado Springs Police Department release:
The Colorado Springs Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit has completed a 6 month criminal racketeering investigation into a criminal organization self identified as "Paper Cha$ers Ink." So far 8 of the 11 are in custody and 3 are being sought.More from our Colorado Crimes archive: "Mark Scott Albaugh: Alleged pervy idiot took computer loaded with child porn in for repair."Beginning in March 2010 The Financial Crimes Unit noticed an increase in reports of Identity Theft through the manufacture of fictitious checks and of counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes (counterfeit bills) being passed at local retail and food service businesses in the Colorado Springs Area.
The investigation has developed direct links between the Paper Cha$ers organization and at least 22 reports of criminal activity ranging from Burglaries, Vehicle Burglaries, Motor Vehicle Thefts, , Identity Theft, Forgery, and Theft. CSPD Detectives aided by the US Secret Service and US Postal Inspection Service have executed 11 Search Warrants and Court Orders for the Production of Records. With the help of the CSPD Metro Crime Lab, CSPD Crime Analysis Unit and the CSPD Computer Forensics Unit the evidence recovered has shown direct links to the identified members of the Paper Cha$ers organization.
Detectives have learned the goal of this criminal organization is to support the members' methamphetamine addiction, and to procure the needed supplies to continue the counterfeiting and Identity Theft operation. This organization is responsible for defrauding local victims and financial institutions of about $63,351.00.
The primary leader of the organization has been identified as Nicholus R. Johnson 29 yoa.
His subordinate lieutenants are identified as Lee Lacey 35 yoa, Jennifer C. Burrell 31 yoa. Daimion Daniel Danyluk 33 yoa.
Lower members are identified as Alexandra C. Lofton 24 yoa, Amanda R. Hall 24 yoa. Mike Honneywell 47 yoa, Justin James Ulmer 21 yoa, Steven Michael Hoy 20 yoa, Brandon Michael Bishop 22 yoa, and Ruben Villarreal Alaniz 55 yoa.
The suspects will face the following charges:
Mr. Johnson (In Custody) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, 5 counts of Identity Theft class 4 Felonies, and 4 Counts of Forgery a class 5 Felony. With these charges Mr. Johnson is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 4 - 48 years.
Mr. Lacey (Arrested) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, 3 counts of Identity Theft a class 4 Felony, and one count of Motor Vehicle Theft a class 5 Felony. With these charges Mr. Lacey is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 4-48 years.
Ms. Burrell (Arrested) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, one count of Identity Theft a class 4 Felony, one count of Theft a class 4 Felony, and one count of Forgery a class 5 Felony. With these charges Ms. Burrell is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 4-48 years.
Mr. Danyluk (Arrested) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, one count of Computer Crimes a class 4 felony, one count of Identity Theft a class 4 Felony, and two counts of Theft a class 4 felony. If convicted of all counts Mr. Danyluk faces a possible prison sentence of 4-48 years.
Ms. Lofton (Arrested) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, and one count of Forgery a class 5 Felony. If convicted of all counts Ms. Lofton faces a prison sentence of 4-48 years.
Ms. Hall (At Large) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, and one count of Money Laundering under CRS: 18-5-309 a class 3 Felony. With these charges Ms. Hall is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 4-48 years.
Mr. Honneywell (Arrested) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft a class 5 Felony. With these charges Mr. Honneywell is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 4-48 years.
Mr. Ulmer (At Large) -- one count of a Violation of Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a class 2 Felony, and one count of Identity Theft a class 4 Felony. With these charges Mr. Ulmer is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 4-48 years.
Mr. Hoy (Arrested) -- one count of Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft a class 5 Felony. With this charge Mr. Hoy is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 1-3 years.
Mr. Bishop (Arrested) -- one count of Theft by Receiving a class 4 Felony. With this charge Mr. Bishop is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 1-3 years.
Mr. Alaniz (At Large) -- Solicitation to Commit Money Laundering under CRS 18-18-408 a class 4 Felony, and one count of Forgery a class 5 Felony. With these charges Mr. Alaniz is facing a possible prison sentence if convicted of 1-12 years.
Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000 or they can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP.
