Man sentenced for role in ID theft, fraud

An Edmonton man involved in an identity theft and fraud ring from last fall was sentenced to jail on Tuesday in Regina Provincial Court.

Marc Joseph Mills, 24, received six months in jail consecutive to the 202 days he has already spent in custody. The sentence was based on a joint recommendation from Crown prosecutor Dana Brule and defence lawyer Kim Stinson.

Mill was arrested on Dec. 18 attempting to defraud the TD Bank on the 1900 block of Hamilton Street of $6,500. He was given 202 days credit for time already served since that arrest. Mills originally faced 36 charges, but pleaded guilty to nine counts. The remaining charges were stayed.

Mills, along with at least four others, was involved in stealing mail from residents on Hanbridge Crescent in December. With personal information contained in the mail, the accused created fake bank accounts, credit cards and identification to defraud businesses.

The group was divided in two and lived off the proceeds of their crimes in separate hotels, Brule said.

Mills’ arrest led to a search of one of the hotels, where police seized equipment used to make fake identification, such as scanners, printers, computers and blank identification cards. Police also found stolen cheques and credit cards from the stolen mail and a can of bear spray. Mills’ picture was found on pieces of identification with a different name, noted Brule.

With the fake identification, Mills attempted to defraud the Cash Store on Dec. 15, and, the next day, tried to activate a fraudulent credit card at the Royal Bank on the 3800 block of Albert Street. He also attempted to defraud a Visions Electronic store with approved financing received on Dec. 15. When Mills was arrested on Dec. 18, he gave police a false name, resulting in a charge of obstructing justice.

Stinson said Mills’ role in the offences was “less serious than some, but serious enough.”

Mills was also sentenced to one year of probation after his release from jail and banned from owning a firearm for five years.

Mills was the fifth in the group to be sentenced.