Woman robs sister's identity

A Jamaican woman who allegedly stole her sister's identity and used it enter the United States illegally has been arrested in the North American country and now faces up to 10 years in jail.

According to the US Justice Department, Sandra McDonald, 51, of Fall River, Massachusetts, was charged with aggravated identity theft as well as theft of public money, passport fraud, and falsely representing a social security number.

The US Justice Department alleges that in 1990, McDonald obtained a US alien resident card under her sister's name, but with her own photograph and fingerprint on the card. She then obtained a social security card, also in her sister's name.

It is also alleged that in 1996, McDonald applied for social security benefits, using her sister's identity, and to date she has received more than J$134,000 in benefits.

The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory term of two years in prison. The charges of passport fraud and theft of public money each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of US$250,000 (J$31,000,000).

The charge of misrepresenting a social security number provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and a fine of US$250,000 (J$31,000,000).