SVIU Detectives Charge Fraud/ID Theft Suspect Believed to Have Multiple Victims Across the State of Washington
Do You Recognize this Suspect? Additional Information Sought
Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detectives, working with several other law enforcement agencies across Washington, identified the suspect in several fraud/ID theft incidents. The suspect was located on April 11, 2023, and arrested for two counts of ID Theft 1st Degree and Theft 1st Degree.
SVIU Detectives believe additional people have knowledge of the suspect’s, 58-year-old Joseph P. Simpson, activities or potentially can help identify others who Simpson’s criminal activity has victimized. If you recognize 58-year-old Joseph P. Simpson and can provide any information that may assist Detectives with this investigation, you’re asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference 2022-10152886. If you believe you are a new victim and have not previously reported the information, please call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 to file a report.
SVIU Detective K. Scott began investigating a reported Identity Theft at several jewelry locations in Western Washington submitted by a victim who lives in Spokane Valley.
Through the investigation, SVIU Detective K. Scott learned a person purchased $11,249.50 worth of jewelry at a Tacoma location using the victim’s identity. The suspect, later identified as 58-year-old Joseph P. Simpson, returned a $6,200.00 item the following day and purchased a $6,999.00 and a $399.00 item. The total estimated amount of the fraudulent purchases was $12,600.00.
The victim adamantly denies making these purchases, opening this account, or allowing anyone to use his name, identification, or information to make any of these or similar purchases.
As the investigation continued, Detective Scott learned someone fraudulently gained access to the victim’s Washington State DOL account and ordered a replacement ID.
Working with investigators from the Olympia Police Department, Tukwila Police Department, the Washington State Department of Licensing, and the jewelry store employees where the fraudulent purchases occurred, Simpson’s true identity was learned. Probable cause was established to believe Simpson gained access to the victim’s Washington State DOL account, ordered a new ID with fraudulent information, and illegally purchased the noted jewelry.
SVIU Detective Scott also learned of another fraud case where a person, also identified as Simpson, posed as a victim in Port Angeles, Washington, and fraudulently obtained a loan using the second victim’s identity from a credit union in the amount of $25,000. All but $34.00 was removed from the account, including two ATM withdrawals at Northern Quest Casino on March 29, 2023.
SVIU Detective Scott contacted Kalispel Tribal Police and provided them with information regarding the investigation and Simpson’s information. The next day he was contacted and told that Simpson was at the casino property. Detective Scott advised he had probable cause to arrest Simpson, and Kalispel Tribal Police contacted him and detained him. At that time, Simpson produced a driver’s license to identify himself using the second victim’s name.
During his arrest, Detective Scott recovered $7,146.00 from Simpson and found fictitious identification in the victim’s name.
The vehicle believed to be fraudulently purchased by Simpson in a victim’s name was seized as evidence and pending a search warrant.
Simpson was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for two counts of Identity Theft 1st Degree and Theft 1st Degree, all felonies. His total case bond was set at $50,000, and he has a hold due to warrants in another jurisdiction.
With a search warrant obtained, SVIU Detectives located and seized multiple round blue pills (1000+) believed to contain fentanyl, a baggie containing a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine, a brown tar-like substance believed to be heroin, multiple documents, several cellphones, a laptop computer, a printer, camera, a black rifle, and three realistic-looking air pistols.
This remains an active investigation, with several cases open across the state in multiple counties. Additional charges and/or arrests are possible.
SVIU Detectives believe additional people have knowledge of the suspect, 58-year-old Joseph P. Simpson, activities or potentially can help identify others who Simpson’s criminal activity has victimized. If you recognize 58-year-old Joseph P. Simpson and can provide any information that may assist Detectives with this investigation, you’re asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference 2022-10152886. If you believe you are a new victim and have not previously reported the information, please call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 to file a report.
