Attorney General's News Release

March 31, 2008

Springfield man sentenced to five years for identity theft after joint investigation by Nixon, Moore and Springfield police

Springfield, Mo. - A Springfield man on Friday (March 28) was sentenced to five years in prison for stealing the identity of an acquaintance to make $3,000 worth of withdrawals from the victim's bank account, including ATM withdrawals and charges to online poker sites. Circuit Judge Thomas E. Mountjoy sentenced Jason N. Waln (DOB - 6/21/74) on one count of felony identity theft in Greene County Circuit Court.

Charges of identity theft were filed by Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Moore against Waln in June 2006 after an investigation by Moore's office, the office of Attorney General Jay Nixon, and the Springfield Police Department. Nixon's office was appointed to assist in the case.

"We are always ready to work with local prosecutors to share our expertise in identity theft cases, and it is satisfying to have another one of those cases seen through to its conclusion," Nixon said. "It is also a good time to reinforce to Missouri consumers how important it is to safeguard their sensitive personal information, whether it is online or in their purses or wallets."

The victim reported to Nixon's office that someone had accessed her bank account to make ATM withdrawals, purchase items at a Springfield discount store and for use on several online gambling sites. The victim discovered her debit card missing from her purse after she spent the night at the home of the defendant. The multi-faceted investigation linked the defendants to the use of the debit card.

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