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Euless PD: Identity Theft Ring Targeted Troops

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Nov 13, 2008 5:40 pm US/Central

Euless PD: Identity Theft Ring Targeted Troops

EULESS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― Four suspects are in jail, accused in a complicated scheme to steal money from those serving this country. Euless police say they were part of an identity theft ring in North Texas which targeted thousands of U.S. military troops.

"You're talking about an excess of $1 million in forged checks," said Sgt. Gary Landers, Euless Police Department.

It took Euless police and the Secret Service about two years to bust the ring and arrest the main suspects. Over 70 people were also tied to the case.

Euless police say the masterminds used U.S. Navy Petty Officer Cora Dixon to execute their plan. Dixon worked as an intelligence officer and was the group's inside source at the Naval Reserve Base in Fort Worth.

"She would gather the information on the sailors and carry that information to Zach Long," said Landers.

Detectives say Long and Senica Willis would in turn produce bogus checks. Angel Mitchell was a teller at a local bank and would provide bank account information, police say.

The team would recruit the help of the homeless to pose as the servicemen. The homeless people, police say, were paid with money or drugs.

"They would give them the checks and ID cards, using the sailor's names with the homeless person's picture on it," said Landers.

Long was originally arrested in January of 2007 for illegally parking in a fire lane. The arresting officer took Long to jail after discovering he had warrants out for his arrest. In his car, police found counterfeit checks and a laptop with information on stolen identities.

From there, officers began to unravel and take down the ring.

According to police, Dixon was Wills girlfriend. Wills met Long at a Dallas strip club, and police say both of those men were friends with Mitchell.

In all, the identities of over 8,000 servicemen were compromised. Of those, police say over 100 were actually used to cash counterfeit checks and fund the purchase of high-priced cars, bikes and trips.

"It was a large case that involved several different agencies that came together to reach an end," said Landers.

Meanwhile, officials say they have informed all 8,000 servicemen whose identity was compromised.

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