Alabama woman jailed in Vernal, facing 27 felony fraud charges


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VERNAL — An Alabama woman has been booked into the Uintah County Jail, accused of using stolen identities to commit numerous crimes along the Wasatch Front and in the Uintah Basin.

Vernal police were actively looking for Jamie Cleghorn when they got a call from Walmart last week.

"A female was trying to pass what were believed to be counterfeit tens, fives, tens and twenties," said Assistant Chief Keith Campbell, with the Vernal City Police Department.

Jamie Lindsay Cleghorn, 34, is charged in Davis, Uintah and Utah counties with dozens of felonies and misdemeanors. Cleghorn, who is from Alabama, is accused of stealing the identities of three people, manufacturing two other identities, passing counterfeit money at stores in Vernal, possessing drugs and giving pornography to children under the age of 10, according to court records. (Photo: Uintah County Jail)
Jamie Lindsay Cleghorn, 34, is charged in Davis, Uintah and Utah counties with dozens of felonies and misdemeanors. Cleghorn, who is from Alabama, is accused of stealing the identities of three people, manufacturing two other identities, passing counterfeit money at stores in Vernal, possessing drugs and giving pornography to children under the age of 10, according to court records. (Photo: Uintah County Jail)

Police say it was Cleghorn, who left the store before they arrived. A Utah Highway Patrol trooper was able to catch up with her though, and she was arrested after a warrant was served at her home.

"At this point we're at, I believe (she'll be charged with) 27 felonies, numerous misdemeanors. There's at least seven or eight jurisdictions in Utah that are looking at similar incidents involving this same person," Campbell said.

Court records show Cleghorn has charges pending in Davis, Uintah and Utah counties. She's accused of stealing the identities of three people and fabricating two others.

"I'm aware of a case in Duchesne County where she used some fraudulent identity to obtain a bail bond to get somebody out of jail," Campbell said.

Utah's chief deputy attorney general, Kirk Torgensen, said identity theft has been a problem in Utah for years, but there are easy ways people can protect themselves.

"Get in the habit of looking at your statements, looking to see if there's any unusual charges. Second thing is to check your credit report," Torgensen said.

State law also allows people to freeze their credit so new accounts can't be opened without authorization.

Police are still trying to identify everyone Cleghorn may have victimized. Campbell said she could also face federal charges.

"There's been some discussion with the Secret Service. That investigation continues, and some information has been sent out statewide, as well as nationally," he said.

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Geoff Liesik

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