MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 40-year-old personal care attendant pleaded guilty Monday to defrauding and stealing the identity of a minor in her care, the Justice Department said.
Charnell Alene Hudson, residence unknown, entered her plea before Judge Richard H. Kyle. Hudson pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one of aggravated identity theft.
The history of Hudson’s fraud, according to the department, goes like this: In 2005, Hudson met the minor she would later defraud. The next year, the minor moved in with her; she then took care of the minor, and had full access to the minor’s personal identification documents. In 2007, the minor moved out, but Hudson kept all the minor’s personal documents.
With those documents, the department says, Hudson got a driver’s license and a title to a car. She also used the minor’s identity to operate a licensed day care called “Lil Dumplin’s Daycare.” Hudson’s criminal record had prevented her from opening such an operation prior, but with the minor’s identification Hudson was able to receive a $70,000 contract from Ramsey County for providing a community service. In 2010, Hudson also used the minor’s identity to buy a $153,000 home in St. Paul.
Hudson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the fraud charge and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the identify theft charge. There may also be fines and forfeitures.
Judge Kyle will sentence Hudson at a later date, yet to be scheduled.
