Student May Face Jail For Cousin's Crimes
GRAND PRAIRIE (CBSDFW.COM) - A young man from North Texas says has big plans for his future but he's afraid he could go to jail for something he didn't do.
19-year-old Dewayne Peace says he's the victim of identity theft, and the person who stole his identity is someone he really cares about - his cousin.
"He was always over here. I was always over there. We just always hung out together" says Peace.
It's a tangled mess that his parents say started in January.
Police in Grand Prairie are investigating. The Dallas County District Attorney's office has given the family some help, but the Peace family says they haven't been able to clear Dewayne's name.
"Usually you can go, family, let's get together and wipe the slate clean, however, it isn't that easy when you don't have other family members cooperating" says Greg Peace, Dewayne's father.
Dewayne Peace says he doesn't know how his cousin stole his personal information, but last January his parents received a letter informing them that their son had a traffic ticket that needed to be cleared up.
The ticket was issued in Dallas, but Dewayne was away at college in Arizona at the time.
Greg and Sherry Peace have been trying to work with authorities in Dallas, Lancaster and Grand Prairie. But to date they have not been able to clear their son's name.
They say there are two warrants for their son's arrest and they say those traffic violations were committed by Dewayne's cousin.
That cousin pleaded guilty to identity theft in Tarrant County. The Tarrant County District Attorney's office says White was sentenced to 45 days in jail after he violated the terms of his probation.
If you have been a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission has set up a website with tips on what you can do.
