Two siblings from the St. Louis area, Alexandria Collins and Wayne M. Collins, have been sentenced to federal prison for aggravated identity theft and fraud following an investigation by multiple agencies.
U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Alexandria Collins, 34, of Shiloh, Illinois, to 146 months in prison and ordered her to pay $449,984 in restitution. Her brother Wayne M. Collins, 31, received a sentence of 141 months and was ordered to pay $134,519.
Authorities discovered evidence against Wayne Collins while he was on supervised release from a previous conviction related to firearm theft. During a search at his residence in 2023, officials found a phone previously owned by his sister that contained counterfeit identification documents and records of wire fraud activities. These included a fake driver’s license with Wayne’s photo but another person’s information and evidence showing the use of stolen identities to open credit accounts and steal bank checks from mail.
The investigation revealed that Alexandria Collins had produced fake IDs and paystubs for several individuals and orchestrated schemes to obtain vehicle loans using stolen identities. She also used these identities to open credit accounts with retailers and cellphone companies, attempted fraudulent vehicle sales through auctions, facilitated the shipment of LSD via the U.S. Postal Service, and created counterfeit financial documents for use in court proceedings.
After serving time for a prior fraud conviction in 2020—which included restitution orders—Alexandria Collins continued illegal activities upon her release from prison. She resided in properties rented under false names using stolen identities and fabricated wage records, failed to disclose income from auto sales to her probation officer, deposited proceeds from fraudulent loans involving luxury vehicles into bank accounts under false pretenses, and misled authorities regarding her employment status.
When law enforcement intervened after her boyfriend’s arrest in late 2022 regarding child custody matters, Alexandria Collins concealed information about his arrest by having someone impersonate him during police inquiries.
Both siblings pleaded guilty earlier this year: Wayne admitted guilt for aggravated identity theft in one case filed in 2024 as well as access device fraud relating to previous cases; Alexandria pleaded guilty to access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to probation officers.
Their co-conspirator Oneasha Stevenson was initially sentenced in July 2024 to five years’ probation with restitution requirements but later received a prison sentence after violating probation terms.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate fraudsters who utilize the U.S. Mail to perpetuate financial schemes to defraud others in order to enrich themselves. Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims, including those most vulnerable,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service along with the Missouri Department of Revenue’s Compliance and Investigation Bureau and the U.S. Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry prosecuted the case.
