Routine traffic stop nets Arkansas identity theft suspect

An Arkansas man was in custody Thursday on felony theft and identity fraud charges after sheriff's deputies who'd stopped him for a traffic violation searched his car and found checks, credit cards, Social Security numbers and bank records for dozens of people — some of whom are dead.

William Elton Hall, 30, of Siloam Springs, on the Oklahoma border, was arrested Wednesday night by Benton County sheriff's deputies and was held in the county jail pending rendition to U.S. marshals because of an out-of-state parole violation. Hall's criminal record shows previous drug, alcohol and assault arrests in Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma.

Deputies told NBC station KARK of Little Rock that they found a ledger in his car containing dozens of names, Social Security numbers, blank checks, credit cards and bank statements. Investigators alleged that he would search online records to uncover people who had died and would then open lines of credit in their names.

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Court records show that Hall was held without bond on felony charges of financial identity fraud, theft by receiving, tampering with physical evidence and violation of parole, as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of an altered or counterfeit driver's license, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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No attorney of record was listed who could be asked for comment.

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