Ceara Smith, 25, of Newport News, has pleaded guilty to using a service member’s identity to commit bank fraud. Smith posed as a music concert promoter and car rental company ambassador to gain the victim’s trust and personal information. She then used this information to apply for loans, credit cards, and make purchases in the victim’s name.
Smith’s scheme included submitting a loan application to purchase a vehicle, applying for credit cards, and making cash advances. She impersonated the victim and even pretended to be an employee of the credit union to avoid detection.
Smith faces up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Her sentencing is scheduled for December 3. The actual sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
