Detective solves confusing ID theft mystery

Fraudster failed to confuse authorities with Michigan's Monroe County link

Craig Dieter

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – Christopher Dieter was in Michigan when the Social Security Administration suspended his benefits, because according to them, he was in South Florida.

Federal authorities reported he had been at the Monroe County Detention Center on a battery charge since March. WPLG-TV reports Medicaid also had a record that he had been hospitalized at the Lower Keys Hospital in Stock Island.

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Dieter was confused and angry. He was at Ida Township, in Monroe County. But he was not at Florida's Monroe County. Ida Township is in Michigan.

Dieter called the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in the Florida Keys to ask for help. And Monroe County Detective Dave Chavka, in South Florida, solved the mystery.

Chavka found Dieter's brother, Craig Dieter, a convicted felon, had been pretending to be Christopher Dieter in Key West.

Chavka said Craig Dieter registered a 30-foot sailboat using his brother's identification. And he even registered to vote. Chavka ended the brother's game Friday.

Prosecutors charged Craig Dieter with voter fraud, two counts of using a false name on a driver’s license or identification card, fraud when filing for a vehicle registration and failing to register as a convicted felon.


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.