HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A 31-year-old Georgia woman pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in federal court Friday. She faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison.
According to court documents, Coretta Bates used a fake North Carolina driver’s license to open a bank account in someone else’s name. She then proceeded to withdraw over $75,000 from the account.
A joint investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office uncovered a pattern of fraudulent activity linked to Bates. The credit union suffered significant financial losses as a result of her crimes.
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The Investigaton
In October 2023, HCSO began a bank fraud investigation with the assistance of Suncoast Credit Union. An unknown individual was committing bank fraud by opening various accounts with fraudulent North Carolina IDs.
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Once the accounts were open, the suspect was able to defraud the bank by committing more than $165,000 in fraud. Victims were identified all over the southeastern United States.
HCSO Economic Crimes detectives continued to work on this investigation with the United States Secret Service Tampa Field Office and the US Attorney’s Office.
After an extensive investigation, Coretta Bates, 31, was identified as the suspect. She has active federal warrants for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.
“This investigation exemplifies the critical importance of collaboration and community vigilance in combating crimes,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing justice and holding accountable those who seek to defraud innocent individuals and institutions.”
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