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Dearborn Heights Man Sentenced to 129 Months for $1.2 Million Identity-Theft Schemes

Prosecutors say he exploited stolen identities across retail, banking, pandemic-relief programs.

Overview

  • Joseph Miller, 53, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
  • He received a 129-month federal prison sentence after authorities tied him to losses exceeding $1.2 million.
  • Using stolen identities, he opened charge accounts that enabled about $912,000 in fraudulent purchases at two retailers.
  • He and co-conspirators obtained roughly $172,000 in fraudulent loans from a financial institution and $203,970 through SBA EIDL applications.
  • The FBI Detroit Field Division investigated the case, with AUSA Timothy Wyse prosecuting and forfeiture and restitution now handled by AUSA Kelly Fasbinder.