College football player commits identity theft against deceased woman

Posted by Joe on May 9th, 2008

In an unfortunate example of just how low identity thieves will stoop to profit on the personal information of their victims, a University of Florida football player, Jamar Hornsby, turned himself in today on charges that he had stolen and made charges on the gas credit card of a deceased woman.

It is unclear exactly how Hornsby gained possession of the credit card, but reports from the local Gainesville Sun newspaper state that he began making charges on the card beginning October 13, 2007. This was just one day after the woman and her boyfriend, who was a football team mate of Hornsby's, were killed in a motorcycle accident.

According to the Alchua County, Florida Sherrif's Office spokesman Stephen Maynard, 70 charges totaling $3,000 were made over a six month period. "I would love to hear the explanation for utilizing the card of a deceased person," Maynard said.

Hornsby is being charged with a third-degree felony count of fraudulent use of a credit card for more than $100 and misdemeanor charge of credit card theft.

More information on this breaking story is available at the Gainesville Sun's website.