Alleged ID Theft Leads to Social Security Fraud Charges

A former Lower Southampton man has been charged by federal officials with four counts of Social Security fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Ronnie Lee Durham, 50, of Alexandria, Va., used the Social Security number and date of birth of an individual residing in another state to open bank accounts, obtain a debit card and obtain employment, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s office.

Durham, who also went by the names Ronnie Lee Johnson and R.P.J., obtained client information while working for a business based in Langhorne in March 2011, officials said. According to the United States Attorney’s office the Sterner Mill Road resident had access to private client files.

The identity of one victim, who lived in Mississippi and rented an apartment in Feasterville, was used to open bank and credit card accounts. Durham also used the person’s information to get a job with a Edison, New Jersey data management company, according to a federal indictment.

Authorities said Durham illegally used stolen social security information to open both checking and saving accounts at the First Federal of Bucks County bank in Langhorne Borough.

The 50-year-old was arrested and charged by Bucks County officials with seven felonies.

Investigators found a slew of evidence during their late spring investigation, a previous Patch story states.

Washington Post reporter Tom Jackson wrote a detailed story on the case and talked to Durham’s ex-wife in July 2012. According to the story, Durham used Tom Jackson’s name and wrote fake news stories about his ex-wife’s lawyer, Robert Zaniel.

The case was investigated by  Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Diplomatic Security Service and the Lower Southampton Police Department.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz is prosecuting the case.