Judge won't set bail in identity theft case

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published July 21, 2007

DADE CITY - The victims of Tonya Michelle Adams' alleged mail fraud and identity theft schemes make a point of attending her court hearings.

Four of them told a judge Friday how the 30-year-old Zephyrhills woman, with the help of her boyfriend, stole their possessions, their identities and in turn, their sense of security.

Adams, of 33718 Isabelle Drive, has been held in the Land O'Lakes jail since her arrest in February. On Friday her attorney asked Circuit Judge Pat Siracusa to let her leave jail under supervision.

The judge was hearing none of it.

"I'm not going to reduce your bond," he said. "That's not going to happen. Not ever."

Not after 65-year-old Marjorie Hill of Zephyrhills described how Adams stole credit cards and checks from her.

Not after Paul and Gloria Boetcher said she burglarized their house in Blanton, took money and heirlooms, then went on an identity-fraud rampage.

Defense attorney Jorge Angulo suggested a possible sentence were Adams to plead guilty to the charges: five years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation.

The judge was hearing none of that, either.

Siracusa said he wouldn't consider a plea deal with anything less than 20 years of prison time.

"I'm going to protect the rights of these victims," Siracusa said.

Angulo then said he would file a motion asking Siracusa to recuse himself from the case.

After the hearing, he said a 20-year term was egregious for a nonviolent crime. He said Adams has cooperated with investigators.

"That just doesn't seem right," Angulo said.

But those who say Adams victimized them said they were pleased to hear the judge talking about imprisoning Adams for a long time.

"That identity (theft) never goes away," Paul Boetcher, 58, said.

"We have to constantly keep on top of it. Who knows the next person who may have been handed down your information?" his wife added. "Your life is never really the same again."

[Last modified July 20, 2007, 22:31:31]