Man faces sentencing for ID theft scheme

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Florida man faces sentencing for participating in what federal authorities say was an extensive identity theft scheme in which he and another man targeted purses in cars.

Michael Johnson of Miami Gardens is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Hartford. A jury last year found Johnson and Jermaine Jones of West Palm Beach, Fla., guilty of bank fraud, conspiracy and identity theft offenses.

Authorities say from 2007 to 2010, Johnson and Jones stole identifications, checks, debit cards, and credit cards.

Authorities said Johnson, Jones and others recruited women, who typically had substance abuse problems, to cash the checks at banks.

Prosecutors said numerous identities were stolen and banks suffered losses of several hundred thousand dollars.

Jones received a 20-year sentence earlier this month.