Riverbank, CA- On 11-19-15 39 year old Gilliam Joy Stephens and 41 year old Dwayne Alton Sterling entered the Verizon Wireless store in Riverbank, California. Stephens purchased two cell phones with someone else's identity and ordered a third phone she said she would pick up on 11-30-15.
Stephens returned to the business on 12-1-15, and was subsequently arrested after employees called Riverbank Police Services deputies. Stephens gave investigators a false name, but she did not have any identification on her to prove who she claimed to be. During the initial investigation detectives found that Gilliam had identification cards and credit cards that did not belong to her.
A probation search of Streling’s residence in Modesto, CA was conducted and detectives found one of the phones purchased by Stephens under someone else’s identity. When detectives searched his car they found several ledgers with hand written personal identifying information, stolen credit cards, stolen checks, credit card scanners, gift cards and stolen mail.
On 12-4-2015 a search warrant was served at Stephens residence in Salida, Ca. During the search detectives found stolen mail, stolen credit cards, stolen checks, and what appeared to be a washed check printing operation. Detectives believe Stephens and Sterling have been very active in the Central Valley stealing people’s identity, washing stolen checks and cashing stolen checks. Stephens had complete identities in her ledgers and based off her documentation knew what businesses would cash the stolen checks.
Both Sterling and Stephens were arrested for several felony charges and booked into Stanislaus County Jail.
Detective Jon Gingerich is still in the process of sorting through all of the evidence looking for victims. If you believe you are a victim or have information on this investigation please contact Detective Gingerich at 209-863-7146.
If you have any tips, you can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward
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Adam Christianson, Sheriff – Coroner
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