Hunter
07/08/22
A Cedar Rapids woman has been arrested and faces over two dozen charges relating to identity theft.
In a release from Cedar Rapids Police, the case began last November when investigators were notified by an outside agency that a victim’s identity was used by 44-year-old Jennifer Lynn Smith with the intent to defraud. Smith is alleged to have assumed the identities of several people, some with similar names, throughout the country.
The woman was reportedly able to set up financial accounts that resulted in losses to various banks and credit unions. Smith is also alleged to have purchased vehicles and set up utilities in other people’s names.
After several months of investigation, Smith was formally charged with counts including Ongoing Criminal Activity, Money Laundering, Identity Theft, 1st and 2nd degree Theft, Forgery, Fraud, Possession of a Fictitious License, and Unauthorized use of Credit card. If convicted on the over 25 charges, Smith faces up to 167 years in prison.
At her initial arrangement, bond was raised from $25,000 to $100,000.