March 28, 2007

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  NEWS: Assistance Center Employees Stole IDs

  Heber Uriel Nevarez and Juan de Jesus Lopez, both employees of an assistance center for Hispanics in Ogden, Utah, were indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple counts of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Nevarez and Lopez are suspected of stealing the identities of a client who came to the center for tax preparation assistance.
  
  German Rodriguez became aware of the fact that his identity had been stolen after receiving a letter from a credit card issuer indicating that accounts had been opened in his name, and a phone call from two separate motor vehicle dealership verifying his interest in buying a car and a motorcycle, respectively (he had none). At this point, he reported the information to police. Investigators asked Rodriguez where he had prepared his taxes, and showed him a picture of Nevarez. Rodriguez recognized the other man from the center, although he says he did not work with him directly.
  
  Two other individuals who used the center for tax prep in 2006 have come forward citing stolen identities. It seems currently that Nevarez and Lopez were alleged co-conspirators in getting credit card numbers to buy vehicles and using stolen Social Security numbers. Investigators stated that, at present, there was no cause to believe that the center was directly involved.
  
  Nevarez has not yet been apprehended. There is a warrant out for his arrest on two counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Lopez, who is the brother of the center's founder, was arrested and charged with four counts of bank fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Both men are facing up to 30 years in jail on each bank fraud charge and a two-year mandatory sentence for each aggravated identity theft charge if they are convicted.
  
  
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