Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging LESHANDA LONG, 36, of New Haven, with five counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
The indictment was returned yesterday and LONG was arrested today. LONG appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was released on bond.
As alleged in the indictment, in August 2016, LONG stole the identity of an individual and used the misappropriated identity to obtain a credit card, rent an automobile, pay personal expenses and obtain cash advances.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count, and the charge of aggravated identity theft carries mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of 24 months.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the West Haven Police Department and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.