Liberty Man Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft

A Liberty man pleaded guilty Wednesday to the charge of conspiracy to commit identity theft.

Joshua Larry Kirby, 21, of Liberty appeared before Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong in Greenville on Wednesday to enter his guilty plea on the federal charge, according to United States Attorney Bill Nettles. 

Kirby was arrested on Aug. 29, 2009 when Williamston Police saw him driving a stolen vehicle. Kirby led police on a chase that eventually ended with Kirby crashing the vehicle.

Upon inspection of the vehicle police discovered multiple pieces of stolen mail.

Further investigation by the U.S. Postal Service and Williamston Police found that Kirby and other criminals were using stolen or altered identification documents to cash multiple forged checks.

The maximum penalty Kirby can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 15 years, plus a special assessment of $100, Nettles said.

Herlong accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.