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News
Advisory
For
Immediate Release
September 25, 2006
Two members of a Westerville identity theft ring
will be sentenced today for their involvement in the
high-tech fraud factory, said Delaware County
Prosecuting Attorney Dave Yost.
Billy Drew, 47, and Alyce McFadden, 42, both of
Columbus pled guilty last month to their connection
and testified at the trial of the ring’s leader,
Maurice Howard.
Drew pled to one count identity fraud – a second
degree felony and McFadden pled to six counts of
forgery – all fifth degree felonies.
Both face prison time with Drew looking at a maximum
of eight years incarceration and a $15,000 fine and
McFadden facing up to one year and a $2,500 fine for
each count.
Last month, a Delaware County jury today found the
ring leader, Maurice Howard, guilty of identity
fraud – a second degree felony and complicity to
theft – a fifth degree felony.
Yost said Howard recruited Drew and McFadden along
with his girlfriend Margo Floyd to use fake driver’s
licenses and checks to buy expensive items, such as
a flat-screen TV, a lawnmower and jewelry.
Floyd was indicted in June for her involvement. A
warrant has been issued for her arrest. Two other
co-defendants were indicted for their connection as
well – Dewitt Martin, 23, and David Melton, 43.
Martin is being held in the Delaware County Jail
awaiting trial and Melton is incarcerated in Indiana
on unrelated charges.
Howard faces up to eight years in prison for the
fraud charge and up to one year for the theft
charge. He is scheduled to be sentenced in October.
For
further information contact:
Traci
Beck
(740) 833-2755
Editor's Note : Judge Krueger
sentenced Billy Drew to three years incarceration
and Alyce McFadden was sentenced to five years
community control.
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