www.whec.com By: Brett Davidsen
I-Team 10 investigation: Couple accused of stealing identity of developmentally disabled resident
A husband and wife who work with the developmentally disabled are charged with stealing the identity of a person in a group home that they were hired to care for. Postal inspectors accuse Kenneth and Wynette Vickers of racking up credit card purchases totaling nearly $200,000 in the victim's name.
They apparently had a lavish wedding and a tropical honeymoon in the Caribbean and investigators say they were able to do so at the expense of a 48-year-old disabled woman who suffers from hearing loss and a traumatic brain injury.
Kenneth Vickers and Wynette Reed-Vickers are residential support specialists. They are advocates for the disabled, who help with the recreational, cooking, cleaning and shopping needs of those who live in group homes.
Today, the two appeared in federal court, charged with stealing the identity of a female resident living in one of those homes.
According to a complaint obtained by I-Team 10, the couple used the woman's name, date of birth and social security number to open several credit card accounts and lines of credit and had the credit cards and statements sent to their apartment in Greece.
They bought a $13,000 Ford Expedition, paid their utility bills and made cash advances but that was apparently just the beginning.
They spent thousands of dollars on their wedding at the Clarion Riverside Hotel and spent $1,900 on a ring from Kay Jewelers. Sources close to the investigation tell us they also used the credit cards to pay for their honeymoon in Jamaica as well as other trips. In total, more than $185,000 charged to credit cards in the victim's name.
An investigation of a computer seized from the Vickers' apartment revealed it was used to make purchases and apply for credit in the victim's name.
The Vickers' are now charged with mail fraud an identity theft but remained silent on the charges as they left court.
The judge has released the two without bail being set. They were ordered not to transfer any jewelry or automobiles and they cannot apply for credit or use any of the identified accounts while the case is pending.
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Posted By: Esther Pinkston
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 at 12:08AM
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