In the case of an alleged identity theft ring, however, prosecutors say women were in charge — and females represent six of the eight people named in an indictment featuring a staggering 81 counts.
That document, on view below, lists 35 ID theft victims whose losses totaled nearly $50,000, with additional documentation for an attempted theft of another $11,000.
According to the Denver District Attorney's Office, the ringleaders were Quinetta Hunter and Tasha Phillips, who also used the name Tasha Tate.
Also indicted were Ernest Daniels, Matrice Ford, Shaqweila Phillips, Tony Phillips, Tashena Reid and Destinee Segura. Booking photos for all but Reid and Segura are included in this post.
Here's how the indictment shorthands the accusations:
The common goals of the members of the enterprise were to steal:One example of the scheme: Hunter is said to have stolen identifying information from her sister, Lesha Butler, to get a job at Emeritus at Highline, an assisted living facility, located at 1640 South Quebec Way.
a) money from grocery stores, credit unions and banks; and
b) financial and personal identifying information and checks from the United States Postal Service mail delivery system, co-workers, relatives, at-risk adults, and other sources.
At Emeritus, prosecutors say Hunter and company stole checks from at least one at-risk adult's bedroom, as well as one of Hunter's co-workers
Afterward, the assorted parties are accused of using stolen, forged or counterfeit checks to steal money from credit unions, banks and grocery stores. Hunter and Tasha Phillips were allegedly tasked with driving their recruits to the locations where they passed the checks.
The octet appears to have been busy. Here's a list of some of those that were suckered.
King Soopers stores, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $3,000.00.Hunter and Tasha Phillips have been charged with violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, conspiracy to commit identity theft, conspiracy to commit forgery and numerous other felonies.
First Bank, with headquarters located in Lakewood, Jefferson County, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $900.00.
Bank of the West, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $1,000.00.
BellCo Credit Union, with headquarters located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $5,000.00.
Collegiate Peaks Bank, with a branch located in Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss of $3,000.00.
Colorado State Bank and Trust, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $2,000.00.
BBVA Compass Bank, with branches located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $400.00.
JP Morgan Chase Bank, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $6,000.00.
Partner Credit Union, with branches located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $2,000.00.
The Public Service Credit Union, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $3,000.00.
US Bank, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $6,000.00.
Vectra Bank, with branches located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $1,000.00.
Wells Fargo Bank, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $4,000.00.
The Westerra Credit Union, with Colorado Headquarters located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado, suffered an aggregate monetary loss in excess of $2,000.00.
Their co-defendants face a potpourri of allegations, too, including conspiracy to commit identity theft, conspiracy to commit forgery and theft.
Look below to see a larger version of Hunter's booking photo, followed by the complete indictment.
Quinetta Hunter, Et. Al., Indictment
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