Iowa Department of Public Safety
Larry L. Noble, Commissioner
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

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For immediate release:  
Friday, January 20, 2012  
Des Moines, Iowa  

Man Charged with Identity Theft after Falsely Implicating Secretary of State in Illegal Activity

Des Moines, IOWA --- Today, Friday, January 20, 2012, Zachary Edwards, age 29, from Des Moines, Iowa, was arrested and criminally charged with Identity Theft, an Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa  Code 715A.8(2)).  Edwards turned himself in to Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents this afternoon at the Polk County Jail.  He was then booked into the jail with a set bail of $2,000, cash or surety.

According to the Criminal Complaint, on June 24, 2011, Edwards fraudulently used, or attempted to use, the identity of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz and/or Secretary Schultz’s brother, Thomas Schultz, with the intent to obtain a benefit, in an alleged scheme to falsely implicate Secretary Schultz in perceived illegal or unethical behavior while in office.

Criminal Complaint

If convicted, Edwards faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison, and a maximum fine of $6,250.  A criminal allegation is merely an accusation and any suspect is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

 Zachary Edwards, 29 yrs.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office discovered the alleged scheme on June 24, 2011 and subsequently reported the information to authorities.  DCI continues to investigate the incident, and the case is being prosecuted by the Polk County Attorney’s Office.  Any questions should be directed to the Polk County Attorney’s Office at 515-286-3737.

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