Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 9 that James Bryan Taylor, Jr., a resident of Matteson, Illinois, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft. The sentencing took place before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Joyce. In addition to the prison term, Taylor, age 45, was ordered to pay $110,850 in restitution.
The case involved Taylor obtaining or possessing personal information and documents such as driver’s licenses, credit cards, and bank account numbers belonging to three or more individuals over the age of 60 with the intent to commit a felony. The incident occurred in April 2018. Assistant Attorney General Samantha Cain prosecuted the case for Raoul’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.
“This sentence is the result of collaboration between my office and several law enforcement agencies, and it sends the message that identity thieves will be held accountable,” Raoul said.
The Illinois Attorney General has advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors according to the official website. The office handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to the official website and aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities and advocating for environmental and rights issues according to the official website. Its advocacy extends across Illinois according to the official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies to support crime victims and promote open government according to the official website. Services offered by the office include complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights matters according to the official website.
Raoul encouraged victims of identity theft to call his office’s toll-free Identity Theft Hotline at 866-999-5630 or review resources available on his website.
