What happened: A West Palm Beach woman was taken into custody after police say she hacked into the bank accounts of a prominent West Palm Beach civil rights activist and stole thousands of dollars.
Background: 29-year-old Shonse' Kristin Monet Joseph was taken into custody Friday after an investigation by the West Palm Beach Police Department. She faces charges including organized scheme to defraud, fraudulent use of personal identification, unlawful use of computers or electronic devices, and grand theft from a person 65 years of age or older.
Investigation uncovers account takeover The investigation began on August 10, when 94-year-old Edith Bush reported the theft and unauthorized takeover of three PNC business bank accounts belonging to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee of West Palm Beach , Inc.
The funds were allocated for specific community purposes, including assisting needy families with scholarships. investigators determined that Joseph had previously been allowed access to Bush's personal computer, which contained banking credentials for the non-profit.
Detectives found that the mailing addresses and signers on the organization's accounts had been altered, and the delivery address was switched to a West Palm Beach residence associated with Joseph. Caught on camera Subpoenas served to PNC Bank provided investigators with certified records, customer service call audio, and ATM security footage.
Police noted that phone numbers linked to Joseph were used to access the accounts over the phone.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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