Youngstown native accused of fraud

Associated Press

ELIZABETH, N.J.

Authorities say a Georgia man and an Ohio woman stole the identities of at least two New Jersey residents and made fraudulent purchases totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

Union County prosecutors say 38-year-old Alphonso Johnson of Lawrenceville, Ga., and 40-year-old Charmaine Williams of Youngstown recently were captured in Georgia and are awaiting extradition to New Jersey. Both are charged with identity theft and theft by deception.

Prosecutors say the pair used the victims’ names to open bank accounts, obtain credit cards and make “large out-of-state purchases.”

The investigation began earlier this month, after a Westfield resident reported that a repossession company called her about a car rented in her name that was never returned. Investigators soon learned that a bank account and credit card were opened in a Bloomsbury woman’s name, using personal information that had been stolen.

Johnson and Williams also purportedly obtained fraudulent New Jersey driver’s licenses, using their own photos with the personal information of the victims.

Bail has been set at $250,000 for Johnson and $100,000 for Williams. It was not known Sunday if they have retained lawyers or if extradition hearings have been scheduled for either suspect.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and they believe there may be additional victims.