104 Felony Charges Filed In Identity Theft Scam: Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — A 23-year-old Bradenton man faces more than 100 fraud-related felony charges in an identity theft scam, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Over the last few months, detectives have been investigating a series of identity-theft related crimes, leading to the arrest of Christopher Crouch.

He was initially booked on fraud charges in February, but because of the ongoing investigation additional charges were added and now total 104 felonies, the sheriff’s office said. He remains in Manatee County Jail.

Detectives said that starting in August 2019, Crouch used his victims’ personal information to obtain bank accounts and create credit accounts at Dicks Sporting Goods, Lowes, Home Depot, Bealls and Marshalls.

In each of these cases, Crouch created a fictitious driver’s license utilizing the victims’ personal information and his photograph, the sheriff’s office said. He then went to the businesses to create the accounts and would purchase expensive items immediately after being approved for the accounts.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Bradenton newsletters and real-time email alerts.

Following a search warrant, detectives found fraudulent credit card applications, account takeovers, an attempt to launder a stolen vehicle and fraudulent bank accounts with victims’ identities at Crouch’s home.

The investigation also uncovered that Crouch used a stolen identity to purchase cellphones and rent the apartment he was residing in an attempt to create additional layer of anonymity between himself and the crimes.

He’s been charged in seven cases with 28 victims. Crouch’s charges include:

• 41 counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information
• 18 counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information (60+ years old)
• 7 counts of uttering a forged document
• 3 counts of bank fraud
• 1 count of fraudulent use of personal identification information >$5,000
• 2 counts of grand theft
• 3 counts of possession of counterfeit driver’s license
• 1 count of fraudulent use of credit card > 2 in 6 months
• 2 counts of scheme to defraud
• 1 count of dealing in stolen property
• 1 count of motor vehicle title fraud