Prosecutions end in 14-state identity theft ring

Published 10:36 am Friday, November 1, 2013

MINNEAPOLIS — Federal authorities in Minnesota have wrapped up prosecuting members of an identity theft ring that involved more than 100 people and spanned 14 states.

The scheme is one of the largest identity theft rings caught in Minnesota. Hundreds of people, along with banks and major retailers, were victimized as the ring members stole more than $2.5 million since the plan was hatched in 2008.

The last of six ringleaders, 42-year-old Gordon Moore, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison. Moore was one of 33 people convicted in federal court; about 25 others were convicted in state court.

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Moore’s attorney argued the case was one of garden-variety crime and he should receive leniency, but U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson disagreed.