By SAXON DAUGHERTY
Staff Writer
An Oil City woman is facing 748 counts of identify theft-related charges for allegedly stealing nearly $40,000 while working as a caretaker.
A criminal complaint filed through District Judge Andrew Fish’s office by Franklin state police Trooper Jason Siegel said Samantha Jo Stevenson, 26, was working for a 66-year-old man at a home on Schoolhouse Hill Road in Oil City.
Stevenson was responsible for general chores, such as washing clothes and dishes, as well as general cleaning duties, the complaint said.
Samantha Jo Stevenson
Stevenson obtained access to the man’s checkbook and forged 14 checks on the dates of Dec. 13, 28, 30; Jan. 18, 31; Feb. 15, 17, 22; and April 3 (twice), 14, 17 (twice), 19.
According to the complaint, the 14 check forgeries totaled $4,055.
In addition, Stevenson gained access to the man’s debit card between December and April and used it 360 times, the complaint said. The total amount used on the debit card was $35,254.96, for a grand total of $39,309.96.
At no time did the victim give Stevenson permission to use his card, the complaint said.
Stevenson has been charged with 14 felony counts of forgery; 360 counts of access device is counterfeit, altered or incomplete; and 374 misdemeanor counts of identity theft.
She was arraigned Wednesday before Fish and placed in the Venango County jail after failing to post $50,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing in the case has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday in Central Court.
She was taken into custody on June 16 outside a home in Siverly after an anonymous phone tip, according to Oil City police. Stevenson fled on foot after police arrived, but she eventually gave up.
Police had issued a mugshot of Stevenson with her last known address to ask the public for help in locating her.
