Kentucky Woman Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Committing Identity Theft and Bank Fraud in Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida - Abigail Payton (30, Kentucky) has been sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard to three years and six months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and bank fraud. Payton pleaded guilty on November 13, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, Payton obtained the personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers, of at least four victims. She then used fraudulent driver licenses containing the victims' personal information-but with Payton's photo-to open checking accounts at credit unions in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale. Payton applied for loans in two of the victims' names and spent more than $38,000 of the proceeds. She also wrote checks to herself from accounts she had opened in two other victims' names. Payton also opened accounts at other banking institutions under separate victims' names, causing an additional $35,000 in loss.

In May 2024, Payton was stopped by law enforcement in Kentucky. During that encounter, officers located blank checks issued in additional victims' names as well as a cellphone with photos of fraudulent driver licenses containing Payton's photo, but personal information belonging to others.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.