Crime & Safety

Identity Theft Ring Busted in Cherokee

After months of investigation by the US Secret Service and sheriff's office, two men were arrested and charges were filed for fraud and racketeering.

The Office Criminal Intelligence Unit arrested Robert A. Hill, 49, and Robert A. Smith, 46, after a lengthy investigation into an identity theft ring with victims from Cherokee County. The bust stems from a single report by a Cherokee County resident.

On Wednesday, Smith was arrested at his high-rise condominium in Atlanta and Hill was arrested at his Roswell home, said Lt. Jay Baker in a press release.

With help from US Secret Service, Cherokee investigators executed five simultaneous search warrants in Fulton County, Baker said.

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They seized a 1999 Lexus, a Harley Davidson and $91,000 in cash.

After the initial complaint, more than 8,000 compromised identities were found in Cherokee County and across the country.

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It was also discovered that the suspects were obtaining false driver’s licenses and then apply for credit in department stores to buy high-dollar items.

The items bought with the were credit cards were then taken to Hill who would sell them on eBay, Baker said.

Hill is suspected of doing this for more than 15 years that resulted in about $9 million in loss to the victims.

According to the release, additional arrests are anticipated.

Hill is charged with conspiracy to commit retail property fencing and violation of the Georgia RICO Act. He is currently out on a $110,400 bond. 

Smith is charged with five counts of identity fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit identity fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit retail property fencing and violation of the Georgia RICO Act. He is being held without bond.                      


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