PR03-032

Date:

December 1, 2003

 
Warrant Arrest Uncovers Evidence Of Identity Fraud; Checks and IDs Seized During Apprehension
 

Fulton Sheriff Jackie Barrett has scheduled a press conference for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at the Fulton County Justice Center, 185 Central Avenue, to release details of an arrest warrant, executed this morning by sheriff’s deputies. Acting on tip, deputies staked out a location in East Point where they later arrested 35 year old Batina Boykin on an outstanding warrant from Clayton County. Boykin was wanted on several charges, including forgery and probation violation. Boykin is also wanted in Fulton and Fayette counties.

At the time of her arrest, deputies seized 133 personal, payroll and government checks from the vehicle she was driving. In all, the seized checks represented seven (7) financial institutions and (18) eighteen different account numbers.

Authorities believe that Boykin was heavily engaged in an identify theft operation. In addition to seizing the fraudulent checks, deputies also recovered four driver’s licenses, a social security card, and fourteen (14) gift cards purchased from several merchants during the Thanksgiving holiday.

This afternoon, deputies were contacting alleged victims, and some banks indicated that fraud alerts had already been placed on some of the account.

Boykin’s arrest comes at a time of heightened awareness concerning theft and identity fraud during the holiday season.

In addition to providing details of today’s arrest, Sheriff Barrett will also provide safety tips to help citizens from becoming a victim of identity fraud. Evidence collect from today’s arrest will also be displayed at tomorrow’s press conference.

For more information, please contact Lieutenant Clarence Huber at (404) 730-4148. Lieutenant Huber can also be reached on his digital pager at (404) 742-6798.