Indianapolis, IN – An Indiana woman is facing a staggering 36 criminal charges after a two-year investigation by the Indiana State Police (ISP) uncovered an extensive identity theft and fraud scheme that spanned across three counties.
Two-Year Investigation Leads to Major Break
According to ISP, the investigation began in December 2023, when a Fishers-based business reported a suspicious online purchase that raised concerns about possible fraudulent activity. Detectives discovered that the suspect allegedly used a stolen identity to create a line of credit with the company.
When store employees noticed red flags in the transaction, they requested that the individual visit the store in person to finalize the purchase. The suspect never appeared, prompting further investigation.
Detectives traced the information used in the fraudulent application to a residence on Dobbs Ferry Drive on the northwest side of Indianapolis, as per Fox59.
Search Warrant Uncovers Evidence of Fraud
In February 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered multiple pieces of evidence linked to identity theft, fraud, and forgery. The findings soon led police to identify Diara Jernigan, of Gary, Indiana, as the primary suspect in the scheme.
ISP reported that Jernigan allegedly made numerous fraudulent purchases, including cell phones, appliances, jewelry, and other high-value items. Detectives also discovered that she had used stolen identities to rent homes across Indianapolis, gaining access to utilities and other services using forged documents.
Arrest and Additional Charges
Authorities arrested Diara Jernigan in February 2025 on active warrants from Hamilton and Hendricks counties. Following her arrest, investigators conducted another search at her downtown Indianapolis apartment, where they seized additional evidence that resulted in new charges being filed.
Jernigan now faces a total of 36 charges in connection with the multi-county identity theft scheme.
Full List of Charges
- Nine counts of Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
- Seven counts of Forgery (Level 6 Felony)
- Six counts of Fraud (Level 6 Felony)
- Five counts of Theft (Level 6 Felony)
- One count of Corrupt Business Influence (Level 5 Felony)
- Four counts of False Government ID (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Four counts of Fraud (Class A Misdemeanor)
Items Recovered by Investigators
During the investigation, Indiana State Police recovered a large cache of items believed to be linked to the identity theft operation, including:
- Five firearms, three of which were reportedly stolen
- Counterfeit U.S. currency and credit cards
- A credit card stamping machine
- 125 fraudulent state identification cards from five different states
- 15 stolen or fake Social Security cards
- Approximately $20,000 in cash
- Jewelry, tools, and other fraudulently purchased items
Additional Suspects Under Investigation
ISP stated that detectives have also identified five other individuals who may be connected to the same criminal network. Those suspects are currently under investigation for possible theft and forgery-related offenses.
Upcoming Court Appearances
Online court records show that Jernigan is scheduled to appear in Hamilton Superior Court 4 on January 15 for the start of her jury trial. However, no court date has yet been set for her Marion County charges, which remain pending as the investigation continues.
ISP has praised the collaborative efforts of detectives and local law enforcement partners who worked to dismantle what they describe as a complex and far-reaching identity theft operation.
How do you think law enforcement can better protect residents from identity theft and online fraud? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
