United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner

Eastern District of California

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: LAUREN HORWOOD

Thursday, June 24, 2010                                                                                           PHONE: 916-554-2706

www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae                                                                                  usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov

Docket #: 2:09-cr-321-MCE

 

SACRAMENTO WOMAN SENTENCED TO 2 ½ YEARS IN PRISON FOR CREDIT CARD FRAUD

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. sentenced Stephanie Fahlgren, 33, of Sacramento, to two years and six months in federal prison for access device fraud. She pleaded guilty on January 28, 2010.

This case was the product of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Davis Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robin R. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

According to court documents, from June 2008 through November 2008, Fahlgren used her computer to obtain personal and financial information relating to more than 114 victims. She obtained the information by accessing a computer database of a national life insurance company without authorization. This database contained the medical and personal data of prospective life insurance purchasers. Using this information, Fahlgren compiled profiles of the victims and opened lines of credit and credit cards their names. She then made purchases without the consent of the victims, often ordering merchandise to be shipped to an address in Sacramento or picked it up at retail locations.

In issuing the sentence, Judge England noted the devastating effect of identity fraud on the victims and that the crime is prolific. Fahlgren is scheduled to appear in court on July 29, 2010, for the court to determine the amount of restitution owed to the fraud victims.

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