Springfield woman gets four years in ID theft case

According to a news release from Nixon’s office, Circuit Judge Thomas E. Mountjoy sentenced Norma Black, of Springfield, on one count of felony identity theft in Greene County Circuit Court. The release said Black stole an acquaintance’s identity to make $3,000 worth of withdrawals from the victim’s bank account, including ATM withdrawals and charges to online poker sites.

Black was indicted by a Greene County grand jury in September 2006 after identity theft charges were filed by Moore against her and co-defendant Jason Waln, who was sentenced in March to five years in prison for his role in the case.

The victim, whose name was not disclosed, reported to Nixon’s office that someone had accessed her bank account to make ATM withdrawals, purchase items at a Springfield discount store and for use on several online gambling sites. The victim discovered her debit card missing from her purse after she spent the night at Black’s home. Nixon’s office was appointed to assist in the multi-faceted investigation, which linked the defendants to the use of the debit card.

“We are always ready to work with local prosecutors to share our expertise in identity theft cases, and it is satisfying to have another one of those cases seen through to its conclusion,” Nixon said in the release. “It is also a good time to reinforce to Missouri consumers how important it is to safeguard their sensitive personal information, whether it is online or in their purses or wallets.”

Click here to take Nixon’s 10-question ID Theft Quiz to test your knowledge about protecting personal information.