SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Patricia Ramona Vasquez, 37, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and mail fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between February 3, 2016, and July 7, 2016, Vasquez targeted a victim with the same last name and obtained the victim’s mail to obtain documents and information to steal her identity. Vasquez created an email address for her new identity. On April 4, 2016, Vasquez entered a DMV branch in Sacramento and claimed her California driver’s license was lost or stolen. In doing so, Vasquez obtained a genuine driver’s license with her own picture and the victim’s personal identifying information. On April 15, 2016, Vasquez used the false identity to purchase a Nissan Altima from an auto dealership in Stockton. At the victim’s and creditors expense, Vasquez obtained a car loan from Well Fargo Bank for $16,703. On May 20, 2016, Vasquez opened accounts at Golden 1 Credit Union in Stockton using her phony California driver’s license number, the victim’s SSN, date of birth, true residence address, and signature. After opening the credit union accounts, Vasquez deposited stolen and altered checks in her scheme to obtain cash.
San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Rafael Nunez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated, “We are working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners in law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those responsible for complex identity theft and mail fraud schemes.”
This case is a product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Stockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Vasquez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. on April 27, 2017. Vasquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bank fraud; 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for mail fraud, and a mandatory two-year prison term to be served consecutively to any other sentence for the aggravated identity theft. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.