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Longtime fugitive guilty in ID theft scam

LOS ANGELES, April 8 (UPI) -- A man who dodged authorities for 12 years pleaded guilty in California Monday in a large-scale identity theft and foreclosure scam.

Federal authorities said Glen Alan Ward, 48, formerly of Los Angeles, collected more than $1.2 million from more than 800 distressed homeowners before fleeing to Canada, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release.

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Ward pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and bankruptcy fraud.

Ward was arrested a year ago by police in Canada and was extradited in December.

"Glen Alan Ward spent years preying on distressed homeowners and stealing the identities of bankruptcy debtors, all to pad his own pockets," acting Assistant Attorney General Raman said. "Now he faces years in prison for his crimes."

U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. said the case illustrates the tenacity and extensive efforts of federal investigators.

"Today's conviction should serve as a reminder that criminals can run, but they can't hide," he said. "The reach of the federal law is long and scammers like Ward, who try to take advantage of distressed homeowners, will be tracked down and prosecuted regardless of their efforts to do otherwise."

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