Houston County Identity Theft Ring Uncovered
A sophisticated identity theft operation has been exposed in Houston County, Georgia, with a 14-person indictment revealing a complex scheme involving forged IDs, debit cards, and checks. The ring, prosecuted under RICO laws, allegedly stole from over a dozen Central Georgians, including elderly residents.
The Scheme Unfolded
Between October 2023 and March 2024, the group, led by Macon man Lajerrius Barfield Jr, recruited vulnerable individuals – often older drug addicts or prostitutes – from Houston County motels. These recruits were used to impersonate identity theft victims at banks. An Atlanta resident, Jonathan Baez, created sophisticated fraudulent IDs incorporating official state and federal agency seals. The IDs featured the recruits’ photos and the personal information of real Central Georgians, obtained through various means including snooping through blue post office drop boxes.
Legal Proceedings
The case has seen significant developments recently, with key members pleading guilty. Barfield pleaded guilty in May to violating Georgia’s RICO law, receiving a 20-year sentence with five years to be served in the Department of Corrections, along with a $25,000 fine. On June 2, Baez, the fraudulent ID manufacturer, was sentenced to 30 years with 10 years to serve after pleading guilty. The investigation, led by Perry police, resulted in an “unusually large” case file of nearly 4 terabytes.
Impact and Investigation
The identity theft ring allegedly stole identities from roughly 18 Houston County residents and businesses, with many having funds fraudulently withdrawn from their accounts. The case is ongoing, with the remaining participants’ cases still in progress. The indictment highlights the sophisticated nature of the operation and the extensive measures taken by law enforcement to uncover and prosecute the crime.
