Key Arrests Made in Identity Theft Ring

The made two key arrests in an Identity Theft Ring Wednesday.

Robert A. Smith, 46 of Atlanta, and Robert A. Hill, 49 of Roswell, were arrested in their homes.

With the assistance of the United States Secret Service, Cherokee investigators also executed five simultaneous search warrants in Fulton County seizing retail property, a 1999 Lexus, a Harley Davidson motorcycle and more than $91,000 in cash, said Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began when a Cherokee County resident reported credit card accounts being opened falsely under his or her name, Baker said. Investigators then found more than 8,000 identities had been compromised from within the financial system and suspects were obtaining false driver’s licenses under the names of victims from across the country. Suspects applied for credit in stores such as Best Buy, Target, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes and then purchased high dollar items inside the stores. The items were then transported to Hill who would sell them on eBay.

“Investigators suspect Hill has been conducting this operation for more than 15 years with approximately $9 million in loss to various victims,” Baker said.

Hill is charged with conspiracy to commit retail property fencing and violation of the Georgia RICO Act. He is out on an $110,400 bond.

Smith is charged with five counts of identity fraud, conspiracy to commit identity fraud, conspiracy to commit retail property fencing and violation of the Georgia RICO Act. He remains in custody with no bond.

Baker said investigators anticipate additional arrests to come from this investigation.