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A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison today for using a stolen identity and financial information to steal more than $426,000 from a victim with an intellectual disability.
Clinton Wells, 36, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and three years' supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $426,481.14 in restitution to his victim.
According to court documents, between March 2019 and April 2022, Wells knowingly and intentionally used personal identification and bank account information to steal the victim's life savings. On March 13, 2019, while working for a national tax preparation company, Wells met the victim and gained access to their personal and financial information. The following day, Wells began transferring money from the victim's bank account into his own.
In April 2019, Wells created a user profile through the victim's online banking system. With this access, Wells completed more than 1,100 transactions including electronic money transfers and online purchases. Wells used the money to fund extravagant trips, personal expenses and online purchases. Wells' theft went undetected until the victim passed away and family found unopened bank statements showing the unauthorized transactions.
On February 13, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Wells with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
On October 30, 2024, Wells pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Meredith D.M. Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Source: US Attorney for Oregon