Fresno County Woman Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft, Bank Fraud
A Fresno County woman has reportedly pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to fraud and identity theft in connection with a year-long scheme.
According to a press release by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, 36-year-old Bobbi Jo Heiss has pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Court documents reportedly reveal that Heiss was involved in a scheme spanning from August 2020 to September 2021, in which she stole debit cards, checks, identity documents, and banking information to facilitate fraudulent purchases, cash checks, and open unauthorized lines of credit.
The fraudulent activities conducted by Heiss resulted in actual and attempted losses totaling at least $250,000 throughout the course of one year, the Sheriff’s Office said.
One instance within the scheme occurred on April 30, 2021, when Heiss reportedly presented a check amounting to $57,767 to a local car dealership in Fresno. The check was actually made out under the name and driver’s license number of one of the victims, and Heiss reportedly tried to use it to buy a 2017 Sierra GMA vehicle.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office – Elder Abuse Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Carbajal has been assigned to prosecute the case.
Heiss is currently scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on August 21, 2023. If convicted, Heiss could face a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for bank fraud.
Additionally, she may receive a maximum sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence, along with a fine of $250,000 for aggravated identity theft. The Sheriff’s Office noted that the actual sentence will ultimately be determined at the court’s discretion, taking into account relevant statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider various variables.
As the case progresses, further updates will be provided to the public.
