PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. – Kyle Wayne Rittenhouse, 29, was found guilty on multiple counts of identity theft on Monday, following his involvement in a $100,000 fraud scheme in South Sound.
A jury convicted Rittenhouse on six counts of first-degree identity theft, seven counts of second-degree identity theft, and first-degree organized retail theft. His arrest came in early 2023 after a victim reported stolen mail and a fraudulent $6,000 charge made at a Home Depot. Another attempted transaction at Lowe’s for over $2,600 was declined.
Authorities used surveillance footage to identify Rittenhouse and two co-defendants. Deputies initially estimated 22 victims tied to the fraud. Upon searching Rittenhouse’s truck, investigators found stolen checks totaling $121,193.81, alongside a notebook containing sensitive victim data, including Social Security and credit card numbers.
Rittenhouse posted bail, but in November 2023, he cut off his ankle bracelet after agreeing to plead guilty to several charges. In January 2024, he was tracked down and arrested outside the Tacoma Mall following a brief altercation, during which he was tased. He was later convicted of resisting arrest in May 2024.
Rittenhouse’s co-defendant and girlfriend, Chelsie McDaniel, pleaded guilty to several felonies earlier this year.
Despite being found guilty of most charges, Rittenhouse was acquitted on four counts of first-degree identity theft. His sentencing is scheduled for August 16, where he will face the consequences of his fraudulent activities.
