Identity Theft Offense: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft

A Brooklyn, New York, man has pleaded guilty to an identity theft offense stemming from a U.S. Postal Service fraud scheme. Ezekiel Bailey, 33, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court to aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, Bailey used the identities of three separate victims, fake driver's licenses, and checks linked to empty bank accounts to purchase $98,000 in stamps from U.S. Post Offices in multiple states.

Key Takeaways:

• Bailey, 33, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, an offense that carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years.
• The investigation revealed that Bailey had used the identities of three separate victims, fake driver's licenses, and checks linked to empty bank accounts to purchase $98,000 in stamps from U.S. Post Offices in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, and elsewhere.
• On January 20, 2023, Bailey was arrested on related state charges after he attempted to purchase 25 books of postage stamps for $300 at a post office in Stonington.
• Bailey possessed two fake driver's licenses in the names of identity theft victims at the time of his arrest.
• He was charged by federal criminal complaint on November 26, 2024.
• Bailey pleaded guilty to a charge that carries a two-year mandatory minimum sentence.
• He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9 and is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.

Statistics:

• $98,000: The amount of stamps purchased using fake identities and empty bank accounts.
• 3: The number of victims whose identities were used by Bailey.
• 2: The mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for aggravated identity theft.
• 9: The scheduled date for Bailey's sentence.
• $25,000: The bond Bailey is released on pending sentencing.

Sources:

• U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division