Accused Drug Trafficker Faces New Charges

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A 36-year-old Birmingham woman arrested on drug charges faces new charges from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

After being arrested last week on methamphetamine trafficking charges, Candice Cherie Martin faces additional charges that include identity theft. During a subsequent search of the vehicle Martin had been riding in investigators discovered two notebooks containing the identifying information of at least ten people from Jefferson County. The information included names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and financial documents.

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When detectives questioned Martin about the notebooks she said they were hers and that she had the records because she was a tax preparer. The notebooks were sent to the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigative Unit, where the investigator was able to determine that the records were being used by Candice Martin to obtain loans, credit cards and fraudulent tax refunds.

Sheriff’s Detectives began contacting the people who were listed in the notebook and learned that they did not know Candice Martin and there was no reason for her to have their financial information.

Detectives presented this information to the District Attorney’s Office and an arrest warrant was issued formally charging Candice Martin with Trafficking in Stolen Identities for Financial Gain. The bond in this case was set at $25,000. She remains in the Jefferson County Jail. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.

Photo from Jefferson County Jail