Woman Charged In Major Statewide Identity-Theft, Forgery, And Fraud Investigation: Indiana

Gary Woman Charged In Major Statewide Identity-Theft, Forgery, And Fraud Investigation

Indianapolis- A Gary woman is facing multiple felony charges after detectives say she operated a statewide identity-theft and fraud network involving dozens of victims, counterfeit driver’s licenses, and fraudulent financial accounts across Indiana and beyond.

Court documents filed in Marion County identify Diara Dakiesha Jernigan as the central suspect in an investigation that began after a Fishers resident’s information was used to open John Deere credit lines for attempted tractor purchases totaling more than $7,000. The case, which originated in Hamilton County in late 2023, led investigators to uncover a series of fraudulent transactions, forged IDs, and stolen identities linked to an Indianapolis residence where Jernigan was allegedly living under false names.

A search warrant executed at the property revealed 96 counterfeit identification cards from several states — all displaying Jernigan’s photo but the personal information of different victims. Investigators also recovered counterfeit $100 bills, forged rental and employment documents, stolen mail, and a credit-card embossing machine used to create fake credit cards.

Court filings state that Jernigan used stolen identities to rent and furnish homes, open utility accounts, and apply for credit services. One residence on Indianapolis’s west side was rented under another woman’s name, where forged employment records, fake pay stubs, and altered identification were submitted. Utility services at the home were also established in that name, leaving unpaid balances.

Documents show Jernigan allegedly used Bitcoin through a Cash App account registered in her name to buy fake IDs from overseas vendors and submitted forged pay stubs to landlords and lenders.

The affidavit lists at least eight separate identities used in the scheme.

Under these names, prosecutors allege Jernigan:
• Opened fraudulent Fortiva and Synchrony Bank credit accounts to finance items including security systems, tools, jewelry, and home furnishings.
• Purchased merchandise such as chainsaws, water heaters, air compressors, and luxury jewelry using counterfeit IDs.
• Rented U-Haul trucks and storage units using victims’ names, with balances exceeding $3,000.
• Used one identity to pay for cosmetic procedures in Illinois and Florida totaling more than $10,000.
• Leased apartments in Indianapolis under stolen names while collecting state assistance benefits in her own.

Surveillance footage from a home security system registered under a victim’s name reportedly captured Jernigan inside the residence discussing the police search and stating she believed authorities wouldn’t connect the property to her because her name wasn’t on anything.

Investigators say Jernigan’s activity was tied together through her devices, phone numbers, and online accounts, many accessed from a single Comcast IP address assigned to the Indianapolis residence. Emails, Bitcoin payments, Google accounts, and Cash App records repeatedly linked back to her iPhone — labeled “Diara’s iPhone” in seized data.

Court documents show that financial and digital evidence connected her to fraudulent accounts with John Deere, AT&T, Lowe’s, Zales, Comcast, Fortiva, and Mainstreet Renewal, among others.

The investigation spans Marion County, Hamilton County, Hendricks County, and other Indiana counties.

Charges by Filing Date :

September 25, 2024 – Hendricks County
• Theft – Value Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Fraud – Loss Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• False Government Identification (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Theft – Value Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Fraud – Loss Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• False Government Identification (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Fraud (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Fraud (Class A Misdemeanor)

December 4, 2024 – Hamilton County
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery – Intent to Defraud (Level 6 Felony)
• Fraud (Class A Misdemeanor)
• False Government Identification (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• Fraud (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Fraud – Loss Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Fraud – Loss Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery – Intent to Defraud (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery – Intent to Defraud (Level 6 Felony)
• False Government Identification (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Fraud – Loss Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• Fraud – Loss Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)

October 22, 2025 – Marion County
• Corrupt Business Influence (Level 5 Felony)
• Forgery – Intent to Defraud (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery – Intent to Defraud (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery – Intent to Defraud (Level 6 Felony)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• Forgery – Intent to Defraud (Level 6 Felony)
• Theft – Value Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• Theft – Value Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Theft – Value Between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)