Minneapolis Woman Charged in Widespread Identity Theft Scheme Involving Over $35,000 in Losses
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Catherine Joy Wertman, 26, of Minneapolis, is facing multiple felony charges in Dakota County for an alleged identity theft scheme spanning multiple counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Court documents detail an extensive fraud operation that victimized at least 12 individuals and caused combined losses exceeding $35,000. Wertman now faces up to 20 years in prison and $100,000 in fines if convicted.
Details of the Case
The investigation began on April 18, 2024, when an Apple Valley Police Department officer responded to a theft report from a vehicle at Everbrook Academy in Apple Valley. A victim reported her cell phone, laptop, credit cards, and driver’s license had been stolen. Surveillance footage revealed a passenger in a light blue Lincoln Navigator accessing the victim's car. Further investigation uncovered a series of similar thefts, including another incident on April 5, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. Stolen identification and banking information from victims were later used to cash fraudulent checks and rent vehicles, all linked to Wertman through surveillance footage and transactional evidence.
Pattern of Criminal Activity
Authorities allege that between April 15, 2024, and May 8, 2024, Wertman used stolen identities to fraudulently cash checks at several Wings Credit Union and Mayo Federal Credit Union locations. In one instance, she is accused of cashing a $3,500 check written from one victim to another. Wertman was reportedly captured on video at multiple bank locations, often wearing distinctive clothing and revealing a tattoo on her forearm that matched previous police records.
According to court documents, Wertman’s fraudulent activities included at least 15 transactions or attempted transactions across Minnesota. The total loss to victims and financial institutions was $24,660, and authorities suspect additional losses.
Other Allegations
In addition to identity theft, Wertman allegedly used stolen IDs to rent vehicles from Enterprise locations. Three vehicles were rented under false identities and later abandoned with stolen plates. Wertman is also linked to pending cases in Wisconsin, Hennepin County, Goodhue County, and Scott County for felony forgery, identity theft, and motor vehicle theft.
Criminal History
Court records reveal Wertman has a lengthy history of theft and fraud convictions, including a felony burglary conviction in 2021 and multiple misdemeanor theft convictions. She was previously convicted in Dakota, Anoka, Ramsey, and Hennepin counties between 2020 and 2022.
Guilty Plea in St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Catherine Joy Wertman recently entered a guilty plea in a related case in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Court records show that Wertman pleaded guilty on October 9, 2024, to one count of Forgery-Uttering (Felony H) for an offense committed on May 13, 2024. This charge involved using forged documents to obtain money.
Details of the Sentence
The court withheld sentencing and ordered Wertman to serve three years of probation. Key conditions of her probation include:
Jail Time: One year, stayed, contingent on compliance with probation.
Restitution: $4,500 to be paid in monthly installments.
Fines and Costs: $268 in court costs and a $250 DNA surcharge.
No Contact Orders: Wertman is prohibited from contacting Westconsin Credit Union or the victim.
Restitution Court: She must participate in and successfully complete the St. Croix County Restitution Court program.
Additionally, Wertman must provide a DNA sample for her sentencing requirements. If she fails to comply with the terms of her probation or is discharged with outstanding financial obligations, the court may impose further penalties, including converting restitution into a civil judgment.
Dismissed but Read-In Charges
Two additional charges in the case—Misappropriating ID Info to Obtain Money (Felony H) and Representing Another’s License as Own (Misdemeanor U)—were dismissed but considered during sentencing. This practice, known as "read-in," allows the court to take the dismissed charges into account when determining the severity of the sentence.
Pierce County, Wisconsin Guilty Plea Adds to Wertman’s Legal Troubles
In addition to her legal troubles in St. Croix County, Catherine Joy Wertman also faced charges in Pierce County, Wisconsin, for crimes stemming from similar fraudulent activities. These were the charges she was facing when Dakota County issued a warrant for Wertman back in June. On July 29, 2024, Wertman pleaded guilty to Forgery-Uttering (Felony H) for an offense committed on May 8, 2024. Other charges in the case, including Misappropriation of ID Information to Obtain Money (Felony H) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor U), were dismissed by the prosecutor. Still, the dismissed charges were read into the record.
Details of the Pierce County Case
The Pierce County charges were filed on May 9, 2024, and overseen by Judge Elizabeth Rohl. The case included the following allegations:
Wertman forged documents to defraud individuals or institutions.
She possessed drug paraphernalia at the time of her arrest, though the charge was later dropped.
A repeater modifier is applied to some charges, indicating a prior criminal history.
While the court dismissed two of the three charges, Wertman's guilty plea for forgery resulted in a probation sentence with the sentence itself withheld concurrent with her other probation terms. This reflects the court's recognition of a pattern of fraudulent behavior spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Implications and Broader Context
The Wisconsin convictions highlight the multistate nature of Catherine Joy Wertman’s alleged identity theft and fraud activities, painting a broader picture of her involvement in a sophisticated, multi-county scheme affecting victims in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The offenses in St. Croix and Pierce Counties mirror similar tactics described in the ongoing Dakota County case, including the use of falsified or stolen documents to defraud financial institutions and individuals. Wertman’s actions have caused financial and emotional harm to victims across state and county lines, prompting prosecutors in Wisconsin to prioritize restitution in their sentencing recommendations. With guilty pleas in two Wisconsin counties and pending charges in Minnesota, Wertman faces mounting legal consequences that underscore the complexities of addressing multi-jurisdictional fraud. Her Wisconsin convictions could be used by Dakota County prosecutors to demonstrate a consistent pattern of calculated criminal behavior in their case.
Charges and Bail
Wertman faces two felony counts in Dakota County:
Count 1: Identity Theft (over $35,000 or 8+ victims), carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine.
Count 2: Identity Theft (over $2,500 or 4-7 victims), with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office has requested bail set at $75,000 without conditions or $60,000 with conditions, including restrictions on travel, contact with victims, and access to affected financial institutions. As of writing this story, Wertman has not posted bail and remains in custody at Dakota County Jail.
Next Steps
When a warrant for Wertman was issued in June 2024, she was in custody in Pierce County, Wisconsin, on related charges. Court records show that the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office served a nationwide warrant on December 2, 2024, with her first appearance on the same day. Her first Omnibus Hearing is set for December 17, 2024, at 1:30 PM in Hastings, Minnesota.
This article provides an overview of the allegations against Wertman, detailing the charges, evidence, and potential legal outcomes. The community is reminded that charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
