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Ex-Marine Pleads Guilty To Identity Theft

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 23, 2008

Updated: 08/23/2008 12:19 am

TAMPA - A former Marine lance corporal who prosecutors say stole the identities of about 18 people pleaded guilty Friday to stealing the identity of a fellow Marine to buy a plasma television online.

Among the service members whose identities were stolen by Steven Lee Fickey, 30, was a Marine serving in Iraq, according to a complaint filed in 2007.

Fickey used other people's identities to buy things through a Web site maintained by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, according to documents filed Tuesday in federal court.

Because of his guilty plea in the purchase of the plasma television, charges related to stealing the identities of other Marines will be dropped. Fickey must make restitution to the other victims.

Among the other purchases prosecutors accused Fickey of making, according to the complaint: a Dell computer, sword display cases, prime rib steaks and an acoustic guitar.

Fickey was in the Marines from May 1999 through November 2000 and was a lance corporal when he was discharged. In September 1999, he was assigned to the Marine base in Twentynine Palms, Calif., according to court records.

In 2007, the prosecution asked for an evaluation of Fickey's competence. The petition suggested Fickey was trying to fake mental illness.

Witnesses told investigators that Fickey maintained "a very militaristic bearing," according to the government's motion.

"The defendant has been observed walking up and down the parking lot of the Park Del Mar Apartments complex in Tampa, wearing his uniform and carrying a ceremonial sword, apparently practicing parade drills."

When investigators searched his apartment on Dec. 1, 2005, he told them he didn't order or purchase the items they found. He said the items "just keep getting delivered by the UPS man," the motion states.

Fickey said he asked the UPS man to take the items away, but the UPS man refused.

"He does receive a lot of items in the name of other people, but cannot explain why."

As the FBI was trying to schedule an interview with Fickey, he apparently tried to commit suicide by swallowing half a bottle of Tylenol and then called 911, a motion states.

In March 2006, Fickey told an FBI agent he recently had been hospitalized for a psychotic episode and depression, the motion states. He also said he hears voices.

In April 2006, he moved to an assisted-living facility called Sunshine Manor in Plant City.

Fickey was found competent to stand trial, according to court papers.

He faces up to 15 years in prison on identity theft charges and a maximum of 10 years in prison on a charge of access device fraud, court records show.

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