FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 11, 2008
JENNIFER KAY TUCKER PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on July 11, 2008, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, JENNIFER KAY TUCKER, age 39, pled guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is set for October 9, 2008. She is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
From October of 2004, through February of 2005, JENNIFER TUCKER and her husband, Jesse Tucker, posed as other individuals and, using stolen credit card numbers, stayed at a number of resorts and hotels in Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Montana. While at the resorts, the TUCKERS used the stolen credit cards to purchase retail goods, food, and rooms.
In February of 2005, the Carbon County Sheriff's Office was called by employees at the Rock Creek Resort in Red Lodge due to the TUCKERS' suspicious activities, which included drug activity occurring in their hotel room. Officers discovered the TUCKERS were driving a stolen vehicle, and when they responded to the Rock Creek Resort, the TUCKERS fled from the scene. A high speed chase ensued and the TUCKERS were eventually caught near Joliet. During the chase, speeds exceeded 90 mph on snowy roads outside Red Lodge, officers locked down schools in Roberts and Joliet, and the TUCKERS were only stopped by spike strips laid across the road near Joliet. When arrested, the TUCKERS possessed drugs, drug making equipment, and over 1,500 stolen credit card numbers and names.
Ultimately, the TUCKERS victimized numerous businesses for a total actual loss close to $60,000. Items purchased included custom made rings, designer clothing, ski wear and other apparel and jewelry. JENNIFER TUCKER was interviewed and she admitted that Jesse Tucker would dumpster dive for credit cards. He would then call a resort and purport to be the individual who owned the credit card number. JENNIFER TUCKER stated that Jesse would tell the hotel that he had left his wallet in a previous hotel and ask if he could have it sent to the new hotel. JENNIFER TUCKER would then call the resort and pretend to be a clerk from the previous hotel and inform the new resort that the wallet was being shipped. The TUCKERS would then check into the new resort under a false name without showing identification.
In January of 2005, the TUCKERS made their way into Montana to stay at the Rock Creek Resort. They checked in with a card number belonging to another individual and Jesse Tucker signed numerous receipts in that name and indicated they were driving a red Dodge Dakota. As with previous resorts, Jesse Tucker had called ahead and informed the resort that he had left his wallet at a previous resort and it was being shipped so he would have to check in without identification. While staying at the resort, JENNIFER TUCKER was seen shopping alone in the gift shop and purchasing high-end clothing, apparel, and jewelry. When Jesse Tucker was arrested on charges in this case, he admitted he used stolen credit card account numbers and names to pay for hotel rooms. He further stated that his wife, JENNIFER TUCKER, was involved and was also responsible for the credit card fraud.
Jesse Tucker pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced on July 1, 2008, to 161 months incarceration.
TUCKER faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release for wire fraud. In addition, TUCKER faces an additional mandatory two year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Archer prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
