PORTLAND, Ore. – Clinton Wells, a 36-year-old Portland man, was sentenced on Thursday to three years in federal prison after using stolen identity and financial information to steal more than $426,000 from a vulnerable victim. Wells was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $426,481.14 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Between March 2019 and April 2022, Wells systematically exploited his access to the victim’s personal and bank account information, stealing their life savings. The crime began in March 2019 when Wells, while working for a national tax preparation company, met the victim and gained access to their sensitive financial details.
Just the next day, Wells transferred funds from the victim’s account into his own, beginning a series of unauthorized transactions. By April 2019, Wells had created a user profile through the victim’s online banking system, allowing him to complete over 1,100 transactions, including electronic transfers and online purchases. He used the stolen funds for lavish trips, personal expenses, and online shopping sprees.
The theft went unnoticed until the victim passed away, at which point family members discovered unopened bank statements revealing the fraudulent transactions. Following the investigation, Wells was indicted on six counts, including bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Wells pleaded guilty to these charges in October 2024, ultimately leading to his sentence.
Wells’ actions were deemed especially egregious as they targeted a vulnerable individual, causing significant emotional and financial harm. The court has made it clear that identity theft and fraud will carry severe consequences, especially when the victim is an individual with an intellectual disability.
