Army official accused of defrauding soldiers

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Bobby Allyn, The (Nashville) Tennessean 6:26 p.m. EDT July 10, 2013


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A 42-year-old Army official was indicted Wednesday for allegedly trying to obtain loans by using stolen identities of active-duty and deployed soldiers.

According to the federal grand jury indictment, James R. Jones, who was an assistant inspector general with the U.S. Army Office of Inspector General at Fort Campbell, Ky., illegally obtained Social Security numbers, dates of birth and other personal information of Army officers — some of whom were deployed in Afghanistan.

Authorities allege that one of his victims was a U.S. soldier who was killed in combat in Afghanistan, though they did not name the soldier.

Among the charges federal prosecutors are leveling against Jones: identity theft, bank fraud, obstructing justice and making false statement to investigators.

In the indictment, authorities say Jones attempted to defraud the Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union and the Navy Federal Credit Union over a four-month period ending in May. In particular, he is accused of obtaining a $12,000 line of credit from the Fort Campbell credit union in a soldier’s name.

Jones, prosecutors say, created fake email accounts in the names of the victims to apply for the loans.

Prosecutors say Jones tried to hide his role in the fraud scheme when investigators confronted him. Jones even asked a colleague to remove information on his work computer in an attempt to impede the investigation, the indictment says.

"This defendant abused a position of trust and used his position to specifically target those who serve our country, including certain officers who were deployed overseas when he stole their identities," said Nashville’s acting U.S. Attorney, David Rivera. “We will seek to hold him accountable for these crimes and for his unlawful attempts to cover them up."

The indictment lists three victims, referred to by initials in the indictment to protect their identities. The total amount of money obtained illegally is not spelled out.

If convicted, Jones could spend several decades in prison.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...cial-accused-of-defrauding-soldiers-/2507029/
 
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