Bail has been set for a 41-year-old Blue Earth man accused of stealing mail in Faribault County and northern Iowa.
Jeremy James Shoemaker faces a felony charge of identity theft involving eight of more victims with a combined loss of more than $35,000.
Shoemaker also was charged with a fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, which is a gross misdemeanor.
During a court hearing on Jan. 13, bail or bond with no conditions was set at $200,000. Other conditions for release could include a non-cash bond of $100,000 with conditions or cash bail of $10,000 with conditions. Shoemaker remains in custody in the Faribault County Jail.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Faribault County District Court, on Jan. 8, Blue Earth police officer Tharen Haugh was made aware of reports of mail thefts occurring in Clear Lake, Iowa, by suspects living in Blue Earth.
Clear Lake police say that mail was stolen out of a mailbox between Dec. 26 and Dec. 29. One of the items was a debit card that was activated and used at a Kwik Trip in Albert Lea.
Iowa police identified the suspects as Shoemaker and his 18-year-old daughter Mckenzie Lorie Shoemaker, according to court papers.
The complaint says Haugh, with the assistance of other area law enforcement agencies, obtained and executed a search warrant at the Shoemakers’ residence. Authorities also searched three vehicles belonging to the suspects.
While at the home, officers found items of identity that belonged to eight or more victims that included insurance statements, credit/debit cards, passports, Minnesota identification cards and various mail.
Authorities also discovered in the home, says the complaint, a small amount of substance that field tested positive as methamphetamine.
Inside one of the vehicles officers reportedly found identification cards, insurance information, items containing Social Security numbers, stolen packages and opened Christmas cards and other mail.
Also in the vehicle was a notebook ledger containing a list of victims names along with Social Security numbers and other identifying information.
Search warrants were obtained and executed on the suspects phones and the one belonging to Jeremy Shoemaker had a template used to create fraudulent Social Security cards.
Clear Lake investigators observed video footage from Kwik Trip, says the complaint, as well as doorbell camera footage from victims that shows the suspects stealing mail and using the identity information to purchase gas cards and other items.
The Faribault County Sheriff’s Department and Wells Police Department also assisted in the investigation.
Area residents are being asked to report any suspected mail theft to the Blue Earth Police Department.