Police accuse woman of running identity fraud operation out of local motel room

Operating an identity fraud operation from a Peachtree City motel room was a bad decision for a Molena woman who is facing 11 felony charges for her efforts.

Stephanie L. Howard, 40, was charged on March 24 with 11 counts of felony financial identity fraud and a charge of manufacture/sale of false identity, according to Fayette County Jail records.

Peachtree City Police Department spokesman Chris Hyatt said Howard and a co-conspirator had established their operation at the Sleep Inn near The Avenue on City Circle, adding that there were multiple victims as a result of the identity fraud operation.

Police received a tip about the criminal activities and subsequently served a search warrant, Hyatt said.

Hyatt said officers located counterfeiting evidence, including printing equipment to produce checks.

The investigation is continuing, said Hyatt, with other charges pending.