Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Cook County man for allegedly using stolen personal identification information to acquire over $620,000 in vehicles from dealers across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The vehicles were later sold on Facebook Marketplace.
Stephen Walker, 34, of South Holland, Illinois, was charged in Will County Circuit Court with multiple felonies. These include 18 counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 1 felonies), each punishable by up to 15 years in prison; 10 counts of money laundering (Class 2 felonies), each punishable by up to seven years in prison; 10 counts of unlawful possession of a certificate of title (Class 2 felonies), each punishable by up to seven years in prison; and one count of theft by deception (a Class 1 felony), also punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sentences will be determined by the court.
Walker pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court date is scheduled for November 14.
The case is being prosecuted based on a referral from the Office of the Secretary of State.
"My office has fostered partnerships with law enforcement and government agencies across jurisdictions in order to more effectively protect Illinois residents where they live and work, and when they are online,” Raoul said. “The collaboration between my office and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’s office is a step toward justice for the people whose personal information was allegedly stolen and used to purchase vehicles, as well as the individuals whose only mistake was to try to purchase a vehicle online. I look forward to continuing these types of partnerships to protect our residents from fraud.”
Raoul’s indictment alleges that Walker used stolen personal identification information to fraudulently acquire 11 cars from several dealers in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The scheme involved applying for financing through dealerships and having the vehicles delivered to hospitals in Cook and Will counties where he claimed he worked as a surgical nurse. According to Raoul’s office, Walker would meet delivery drivers at hospital parking lots, sign purchasing paperwork there, and leave with the newly purchased vehicles.
Within days of acquiring them, Walker allegedly resold the vehicles on Facebook Marketplace using fraudulent Arkansas titles listing different names but bearing identical control numbers.
“With online criminal activity quickly evolving, we must do all that we can to protect the personal information of Illinoisans from fraud, theft and abuse,” said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. “I appreciate Attorney General Raoul’s efforts to quickly investigate and prosecute these cases which will deter others who may consider participating in similar schemes.”
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Raoul encourages consumers in Illinois to report potential scams both online and offline. Complaints can be filed on the Attorney General's website.
Raoul’s Statewide Grand Jury Bureau prosecutes multi-county cases involving drugs, money laundering, guns or electronics under Illinois statute authority. Regular collaboration with state and federal counterparts allows it focus on complex organized criminal activities.
Assistant Attorney General Neal Thompson is prosecuting this case for Raoul’s Statewide Grand Jury Bureau.