Are You Who You Say You Are? Identity Theft Rampant In Billings

Released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana on November 10th, formatted for easier reading.

An initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Billings Police Department to catch those who steal personal information and use it to commit fraud in the community has resulted in dozens of federal prosecutions and mandatory federal prison sentences.

Get our free mobile app

Since September 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office indicted 33 defendants, the majority of whom are Billings-area residents, on fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. Of those, 20 defendants have been convicted and sentenced to a total of more than 54 years in prison, with prison terms ranging from 18 months to 65 months. Six defendants are pending sentencing and seven defendants are awaiting trial.

The total loss amount for all sentenced cases is approximately $272,061, while a total of approximately $217,942 in restitution to victims has been ordered.

What is being done to prevent Identity Theft?

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich and Billings Police Chief Rich St. John, joined by Homeland Security Investigations, discussed efforts to combat fraud and aggravated identity theft, along with related property and violent crime, at a news conference in Billings.

“Combatting violent crimes in Billings continues to be a top priority for our office, particularly when, as with these property and violent crime cases, they are driven by methamphetamine and fentanyl addictions. Many of these offenders have significant state criminal records but rarely received jail time in an overburdened state system.  By prosecuting fraud and aggravated identity theft crimes federally, defendants face mandatory minimum federal prison sentences and are subject to federal supervision after serving their time.” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

“This Initiative demonstrates the commitment to hold people accountable for widespread fraud that has affected so many victims.  Our offices will continue to work tirelessly to protect individuals and businesses from financial loss due to identity theft, and I thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations for their work in this area.  Like the Billings Police Department, they are dedicated to protecting citizens of Montana though public outreach and aggressive prosecution from identity thieves,” Billings Police Chief St. John said.

What are the most targeted items?

Offenders commonly steal personal information by canvassing neighborhoods for unlocked vehicles or break into vehicles and search them for wallets, checkbooks and purses; stealing mail from mailboxes looking for credit cards, gift cards or checks; and by rifling through unlocked gym lockers in search of wallets.

Some of the notable cases prosecuted in this initiative include:

• Carl Mark Madden, of Billings, was sentenced to five years and five months in prison for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and felon in possession of a firearm and ordered to pay restitution of $7,536, which was the loss amount. Madden defrauded local businesses by passing stolen and forged checks by using identification stolen from multiple victims. Surveillance video at a business caught Madden forging the signature of a victim on a check. When stopped for questioning by Billings police, Madden was in possession of a loaded and stolen pistol, which he was prohibited from having because of previous felony convictions.

• Stacy Lee Milch, of Billings, was sentenced to five years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and ordered to pay $5,987 restitution. Milch defrauded a series of businesses, including a Red Lodge business, by passing stolen, forged and fraudulent checks to get money and goods. The loss amount was approximately $18,697.

• Cassie Ann Rathie, of Billings, was sentenced to 44 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and ordered to pay $13,274 restitution. Rathie recruited local drug addicts to steal from homes, vehicles and mailboxes to get checks and other personal information. Rathie used the stolen information to create and cash fraudulent checks and gave individuals who stole the materials a cut of the proceeds. The loss amount was approximately $17,609.

Get our free mobile app

Law enforcement officials encourage individuals to reduce the risk of property crime and to protect their personal information by not leaving valuables or personal information in vehicles, locking or securing vehicles or other storage areas, and reporting property crime to local law enforcement.