| Some methamphetamine abusers engage in various forms of identity theft in order to obtain methamphetamine. For example, methamphetamine abusers often generate cash by stealing and subsequently cashing personal checks or by using stolen credit cards to purchase merchandise that they sell for cash or trade for methamphetamine. Some abusers also trade stolen credit cards or personal documents (such as checks, bank statements, workplace pay statements, etc.) to distributors in exchange for methamphetamine. The distributors then sell the stolen credit cards and documents or provide them to methamphetamine producers as payment for the drug. For example, the Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) reports that drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and criminal groups that traffic methamphetamine in the HIDTA region organize groups of methamphetamine abusers and direct them to steal personal identity documents in exchange for drugs or cash. Identities traded for methamphetamine are then used by the DTOs and criminal groups in a variety of ways, including: To launder drug proceeds: By opening bank accounts in victims' names to deposit, transfer, and withdraw funds. By using victims' identities to transfer large sums of money through money services businesses and to purchase money orders in amounts that require proof of identification. By applying for mortgages in victims' names. By using victims' identities to acquire online credit and to make purchases. To supply criminal fugitives within the dos and criminal groups with fresh identities in order to evade law enforcement, incarceration, or even deportation (in the case of illegal aliens). To sell for cash to brokers, who resell the identification documents to other criminals for their use. To purchase precursor and essential chemicals with fraudulent credit cards or checks. Law enforcement reporting indicates that methamphetamine abusers typically acquire another person's personal information and identification documents by sorting through victims' garbage as well as through mail theft, car break-ins, and Internet and e-mail scams. Law enforcement reporting also reveals that methamphetamine abusers commonly form organized groups to facilitate identity theft. The groups typically consist of Collectors, Converters, and Passers, who work within a specific geographic area and are responsible for specific tasks. Collectors acquire identification documents through theft of personal information--usually from mail boxes, dumpsters, landfills, and parked cars. Collectors provide stolen identification documents to Converters, who use the information to establish fraudulent bank and credit accounts and to obtain fraudulent checks and monetary instruments. Passers use the fraudulent accounts and instruments to purchase expensive consumer items in person or to cash fraudulent checks. |
| HOW DRUG ADDICTS WILL USE YOUR STOLEN IDENTITY TO GET MORE DRUGS |
| One of the most experienced Houston defense lawyers, Attorney Andy Nolen, represents people who have been accused of a state crime or Houston law, including in communities such as League City, Angleton, Pearland, Alvin, Clear Lake, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Baytown, Pasadena, Memorial, Spring Branch, River Oaks, West University, and Bellaire. Counties that Houston criminal attorney Andy Nolen serves include: Galveston County • Fort Bend County • Montgomery County • Brazoria County • Harris County. Cases handled include: Possession of Marijuana, Cocaine, Crystal Methamphetamine, Xanax, Prescription Drugs, Probation Violations, Theft, Shoplifting, Drunk Driving, Evading Arrest, and all other Felonies and Misdemeanors. |
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