Jeramie Shamon Betts, Sophia Noeme Melendez, and Randolph Kendrick Williams have been charged in a sweeping identity theft scheme in Douglas County, Minnesota, that affected 83 victims and 17 financial institutions. The charges were filed in Douglas County District Court on June 12 and 13 after a months-long investigation uncovered the group’s role in a coordinated fraud operation.
According to court documents, the scheme unraveled when an individual reported that a credit card had been fraudulently opened in his name at Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU). The victim provided police with evidence, including a fake license, a stolen pay stub, and IP addresses linked to the fraud. On March 25, MMFCU alerted Alexandria Police that the suspect would be visiting their branch. Officers conducted surveillance and observed Jeramie Betts enter the bank and falsely identify himself as the victim. After receiving financial cards in the victim’s name, Betts was arrested.
Police simultaneously stopped a suspicious vehicle tied to the investigation. Inside were Sophia Melendez, the driver, and Randolph Williams, the passenger. Williams presented a fake Florida ID, and all three individuals were taken into custody. Their stories conflicted during questioning. Betts admitted that Williams had created a false ID with his photo and instructed him via text message saying it was “go time.” Melendez had driven them from Savage to Alexandria, where Betts impersonated the victim and signed fraudulent documents in exchange for promised compensation.
A search of the suspects’ vehicle revealed stolen debit and credit cards, a passport with Betts’ image, seven additional cell phones, a hard drive, and a notebook listing financial figures. Authorities executed warrants on the devices and uncovered extensive evidence of identity theft. Investigators found credit reports for 11 individuals, images of forged signatures, and a fake North Carolina driver’s license featuring Williams’ photo. Photographs of fraudulent checks worth $9,900 were also recovered.
Williams’ device contained detailed identity data for nine individuals, including names, birth dates, social security numbers, banking info, and employer records. Melendez’s phone included messages soliciting personal information, along with numerous images of social security cards and driver’s licenses. Officials discovered 15 active email addresses used in the fraud, and email threads between Williams and MMFCU supporting the fake account openings. More victim data, including additional social security cards, passport cards, and a Minnesota ID card, were also retrieved.
One AZ Federal Credit Union reported $21,568.27 in losses stemming from three fraudulent accounts, according to documents. In total, investigators linked the operation to 83 victims and at least 17 financial institutions. Betts, Melendez, and Williams face numerous felony charges including identity theft and check forgery. The case remains under investigation.
