DETROIT (WWJ) – A convicted serial bank robber from Redford has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for stealing the identities of 10 people to commit bank fraud after serving a prison term for multiple bank robberies.
Rynell Roberts, 39, admitted to using the stolen IDs to make about $119,000 in purchases at area retail stores, U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison announced Tuesday.
Roberts was sentenced last week to 71 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $119,000 in restitution.
Officials say Roberts admitted he used the names and stolen personal identifiers of 10 people to open fraudulent credit card accounts to make these purchases.
Authorities have not said when or where he made the fraudulent purchases and did not disclose what items he bought.
Court records show Roberts was previously convicted of four bank robberies back in 2008.
During all of the bank robberies, he threatened tellers with a gun, and even fired a pistol inside a bank during one of the robberies. It was not clear where the prior robberies occurred.
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Ison’s office says he switched to bank fraud after being released from prison.
“Identification theft not only robs individuals of time and peace of mind, but it also causes unwarranted damage to the credit of law-abiding citizens,” Ison said, per a press release. “All consumers ultimately bear the costs of these crimes. My office remains committed to holding identity thieves accountable.”
James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division, said “it is a misperception that identity theft is a victimless crime.”
“Victims of this type of fraud can spend significant time and effort clearing up financial issues caused by the greed of these criminals and often causing a significant financial burden to the victim in the process. The FBI will continue to investigate these thieves and protect Michiganders from this type of criminal activity,” Tarasca said.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip A. Ross and was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Blackmon Township and Grosse Isle Police Departments.
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