Burlington Standard

Scott Jamie Ashness, a 44-year-old from Stuart, Florida, was sentenced to four years in prison on November 1, 2024. The sentencing took place in Burlington, Vermont, under Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss. Following his prison term, Ashness will also serve a three-year supervised release period. He had pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud, passport fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Court documents reveal that between September and October of 2023, Ashness visited fifteen different bank branches across Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire. He impersonated eight individuals to withdraw funds from their accounts. Out of these attempts, twelve were successful, resulting in the theft of $80,150. Additionally, he attempted to steal another $22,800. In some cases, he used falsified U.S. passport cards or state driver’s licenses with his photo but others' information.

U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest emphasized the seriousness of such crimes: “Fraud and identity theft are among the most serious crimes." He noted the financial harm they cause to victims and their potential to undermine institutional trust. Kerest praised the efforts of various police departments and federal partners involved in investigating the case.

Special Agent Matthew O’Brien from the Diplomatic Security Service highlighted their commitment to working with the Department of Justice on such investigations: “The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed...to investigate allegations related to passports in identity theft crimes.”

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Cate prosecuted the case while Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth and Christopher Dall represented Ashness.