Couple Face 30 Years For Identity Theft of Nia Long, Ashanti, Mariah and Others

Shameika Drain Curry went as far as impersonating singer Ashanti Douglas to get a $36,000 loan and to purchase an Infinty from an Irondequit auto dealer sometime last year.

Due to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Rochester against a Henrietta couple, Charles B. Curry Jr. and Shameika Drain Curry, both 28, they will likely face harsh penalties for identity theft.

The investigation began in October 2006 when a bank said it had been the victim of credit card fraud. Shortly after, Shameika Curry the mother of three, home was issued a search warrant by the U.S. postal inspectors after noticing a number of financial mail being sent to the home in the names of Nia Long and even singer Mariah Carey.

According to Shameika Curry’s lawyer John Parrinello, the couple plead not guilty in federal court.

The couple who is stated to be separated, was charged with bank fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft. They stole the identity of a number of people including celebrities such as actress Nia Long and singer Ashanti Douglas. The couple allegedly purchased cars, got credit cards and wrote a number of illegal checks.

Shameika Drain Curry went as far as impersonating singer Ashanti Douglas to get a $36,000 loan and to purchase an Infinty from an Irondequit auto dealer sometime last year. The young woman also ordered a replacement license in Ashanti’s name from the Department of Motor Vehicle that was sent to an address in Rochester, NY. The young woman even impersonated Nia Long so that she could write and cash a check for $8,300 made out to her own cleaning business.

The husband Charles Curry Jr., impersonated his own father and also ordered a replacement drivers license to get a $31,000 loan so that he could purchase a Mercedes Benz.

In addition to being charged with identity theft, the couple will also be charged with defrauding a bank for more than $45,000 to open a credit line by taking on the identity of an elderly woman from Rochester.

After appearing in federal court Wednesday, Shameika Curry was allowed to remain free on her own recognizance after turning herself in to the U.S. Marshalls pending her arraignment. Charles Curry had to secure his own release by posting up his home and his parents’ home as collateral as ordered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman.

According to Charles Curry statement to the Judge, he hasn’t worked for their cleaning business since February due to an auto accident, but records show that he recently purchased a home in Greece for $315,000 on April 3.

The couple could face a $1 million fine and 30 years in prison if convicted according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick.