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In 2001, Reed assumed the identity of Natalie Bowman and enrolled as an adjunct student at [[California State University]] in [[Fullerton, California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailytitan.com/2010/05/the-girl-who-conned-cal-state-fullerton/ |title=The girl who conned Cal State Fullerton |publisher=Daily Titan|date=May 5, 2010 |accessdate=December 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Pignatelli |first=Margherita |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2009/2/19/reed-charged-with-id-theft-a/ |title=Reed Charged With ID Theft &#124; News &#124; The Harvard Crimson |publisher=Thecrimson.com |date=February 19, 2009 |accessdate=September 21, 2016}}</ref><ref name="bostonmagazine1"/> While at Fullerton, Reed joined CSUF's debate team and competed in several tournaments, often advancing to the final round.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://dailytitan.com/2010/05/the-girl-who-conned-cal-state-fullerton/ | work=Daily Titan| first=Adrian | last=Gaitan | title=The girl who conned Cal State Fullerton | date=May 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name="businessweek1">{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2008/bs20080828_960253_page_2.htm|title=U.S. Colleges Stumped by Fraudulent Applications|work=Business Week|date=August 28, 2008|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Porter|first=Jane}}</ref><ref name="cbs2">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/29/48hours/main3553118_page2.shtml|title=Capture The Queen|work=CBS News|date=December 1, 2007|accessdate=September 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/01/18/missing.con.artist/index.html|title=Woman steals another's identity, gets into Ivy League|work=CNN|date=January 19, 2007|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Tuchman|first=Gary}}</ref><ref name="cis1">{{cite web|url=http://creditidentitysafe.com/idtheft/esther-reed.htm|title=Esther Reed – The secret life of a sophisticated identity thief|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=Credit Identity Safe|accessdate=October 6, 2009}}</ref> At CSU Fullerton, Reed became friends with several debaters at the [[United States Military Academy|United States Military Academy at West Point]] and at the [[United States Naval Academy|United States Naval Academy at Annapolis]]. She dated one of the cadets for an extended period of time and eventually the [[US Army Criminal Investigation Command]] would investigate Reed, believing she might have been involved in [[espionage]]. Investigators later determined these suspicions were unfounded.<ref name="nyp8">{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/ringer_theft_beauty_cons_her_way_uzNMfKVkXRVCWu4YjmkEDM|title=ID Theft 101: Beauty Cons Her Way Onto Ivys' Rolls As An Ed. Ringer|work=New York Post|date=January 8, 2007|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Alpert|first=Lukas I.}}</ref><ref name="sabrinaerdely1"/>
In 2001, Reed assumed the identity of Natalie Bowman and enrolled as an adjunct student at [[California State University]] in [[Fullerton, California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailytitan.com/2010/05/the-girl-who-conned-cal-state-fullerton/ |title=The girl who conned Cal State Fullerton |publisher=Daily Titan|date=May 5, 2010 |accessdate=December 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Pignatelli |first=Margherita |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2009/2/19/reed-charged-with-id-theft-a/ |title=Reed Charged With ID Theft &#124; News &#124; The Harvard Crimson |publisher=Thecrimson.com |date=February 19, 2009 |accessdate=September 21, 2016}}</ref><ref name="bostonmagazine1"/> While at Fullerton, Reed joined CSUF's debate team and competed in several tournaments, often advancing to the final round.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://dailytitan.com/2010/05/the-girl-who-conned-cal-state-fullerton/ | work=Daily Titan| first=Adrian | last=Gaitan | title=The girl who conned Cal State Fullerton | date=May 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name="businessweek1">{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2008/bs20080828_960253_page_2.htm|title=U.S. Colleges Stumped by Fraudulent Applications|work=Business Week|date=August 28, 2008|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Porter|first=Jane}}</ref><ref name="cbs2">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/29/48hours/main3553118_page2.shtml|title=Capture The Queen|work=CBS News|date=December 1, 2007|accessdate=September 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/01/18/missing.con.artist/index.html|title=Woman steals another's identity, gets into Ivy League|work=CNN|date=January 19, 2007|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Tuchman|first=Gary}}</ref><ref name="cis1">{{cite web|url=http://creditidentitysafe.com/idtheft/esther-reed.htm|title=Esther Reed – The secret life of a sophisticated identity thief|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=Credit Identity Safe|accessdate=October 6, 2009}}</ref> At CSU Fullerton, Reed became friends with several debaters at the [[United States Military Academy|United States Military Academy at West Point]] and at the [[United States Naval Academy|United States Naval Academy at Annapolis]]. She dated one of the cadets for an extended period of time and eventually the [[US Army Criminal Investigation Command]] would investigate Reed, believing she might have been involved in [[espionage]]. Investigators later determined these suspicions were unfounded.<ref name="nyp8">{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/ringer_theft_beauty_cons_her_way_uzNMfKVkXRVCWu4YjmkEDM|title=ID Theft 101: Beauty Cons Her Way Onto Ivys' Rolls As An Ed. Ringer|work=New York Post|date=January 8, 2007|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Alpert|first=Lukas I.}}</ref><ref name="sabrinaerdely1"/>


In 2003, Reed moved on and earned her GED, using the identity of Brooke Henson, another missing person from Traveler's Rest, South Carolina. Reed also took the SAT and achieved a score of 1400. Using the new credentials, Reed applied to Columbia University, School of General Studies and was admitted to the University. She continued to attend Columbia for 2 years, where she majored in psychology and maintained a 3.22 GPA.<ref name="Daily Titan"/><ref name="Foxnews.com"/><ref name="Helena Independent Record">{{cite news|url=http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/mother-s-death-led-to-identity-thefts/article_47ee9013-4bbd-59e1-8efc-c4b9ad5daaf1.html|title=Mother's death led to identity thefts|work=Helena Independent Record|date=May 9, 2009|accessdate=December 25, 2017}}</ref>
In 2003, Reed moved on and earned her GED, using the identity of Brooke Henson, another missing person from [[Traveler's Rest, South Carolina]]. Reed also took the SAT and achieved a score of 1400. Using the new credentials, Reed applied to Columbia University, School of General Studies and was admitted to the University. She continued to attend Columbia for 2 years, where she majored in psychology and maintained a 3.22 GPA.<ref name="Daily Titan"/><ref name="Foxnews.com"/><ref name="Helena Independent Record">{{cite news|url=http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/mother-s-death-led-to-identity-thefts/article_47ee9013-4bbd-59e1-8efc-c4b9ad5daaf1.html|title=Mother's death led to identity thefts|work=Helena Independent Record|date=May 9, 2009|accessdate=December 25, 2017}}</ref>


In 2006, after an internet search by a potential employer revealed Brooke Henson's real identity, police in South Carolina alerted [[New York City Police Department|New York City police]] to Reed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicky-ward/esther-reed-how-an-ordina_b_166118.html|title=How an Ordinary Girl Faked Her Way Into the Ivy League|work=Huffington Post|date=February 11, 2009|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Ward|first=Vicky}}</ref><ref name="cbs2"/><ref name="welt1">{{cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article1460366/Wie_sich_eine_Hochstaplerin_durchs_Leben_log.html|title=Wie sich eine Hochstaplerin durchs Leben log|work=Welt Online|date=December 14, 2007|accessdate=October 7, 2009|language=German}}</ref><ref name="Corriere2">{{cite news|title=Il giallo della donna dai mille volti "Truffatrice o nuova Mata Hari?"|work=Corriere della Sera|date=November 4, 2007|accessdate=October 7, 2009|last=Olimpio|first=Guido|language=Italian}}</ref><ref name="cnn1">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/18/missing.con.artist/index.html|title=Woman steals another's identity, gets into Ivy League|work=CNN|date=January 19, 2007|accessdate=September 30, 2009|last=Tuchman|first=Gary}}</ref><ref name="idtheft1">{{cite book|last=Biegelman|first=Martin T. |title=Identity Theft Handbook: Detection, Prevention, and Security|chapter=Entry to the Ivy League through ID theft|publisher=John Wiley and Sons|year=2009|pages=50–52|isbn=0-470-17999-6}}</ref><ref name="nyp5">{{cite news|url=http://209.10.98.182/seven/05082009/news/regionalnews/ivy_con_gal_planned_a_lifelong_lie_168194.htm|title=Ivy Con Gal Planned A Lifelong Lie|work=New York Post|date=May 8, 2009|accessdate=October 7, 2009|last=Bennett|first=Chuck}}</ref> After agreeing to give [[DNA]] to prove she was indeed Brooke Henson, Esther Reed fled New York City and relocated to [[Chicago]], and changed her identity to Jennifer Myers.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,406323,00.html|title=Con Artist Pleads Guilty to Stealing Missing Woman's Identity to Get Into Ivy League School|work=Fox News|date=August 19, 2009|accessdate=September 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Corriere1">{{cite news|url=http://www.corriere.it/cronache/07_dicembre_04/caccia_regina_usa_aa8eab24-a23a-11dc-9440-0003ba99c53b.shtml|title=Usa: tutti a caccia della "regina"|work=Corriere della Sera|date=December 4, 2008|accessdate=October 7, 2009|last=Olimpio|first=Guido|language=Italian}}</ref>
In 2006, after an internet search by a potential employer revealed Brooke Henson's real identity, police in South Carolina alerted [[New York City Police Department|New York City police]] to Reed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicky-ward/esther-reed-how-an-ordina_b_166118.html|title=How an Ordinary Girl Faked Her Way Into the Ivy League|work=Huffington Post|date=February 11, 2009|accessdate=October 6, 2009|last=Ward|first=Vicky}}</ref><ref name="cbs2"/><ref name="welt1">{{cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article1460366/Wie_sich_eine_Hochstaplerin_durchs_Leben_log.html|title=Wie sich eine Hochstaplerin durchs Leben log|work=Welt Online|date=December 14, 2007|accessdate=October 7, 2009|language=German}}</ref><ref name="Corriere2">{{cite news|title=Il giallo della donna dai mille volti "Truffatrice o nuova Mata Hari?"|work=Corriere della Sera|date=November 4, 2007|accessdate=October 7, 2009|last=Olimpio|first=Guido|language=Italian}}</ref><ref name="cnn1">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/18/missing.con.artist/index.html|title=Woman steals another's identity, gets into Ivy League|work=CNN|date=January 19, 2007|accessdate=September 30, 2009|last=Tuchman|first=Gary}}</ref><ref name="idtheft1">{{cite book|last=Biegelman|first=Martin T. |title=Identity Theft Handbook: Detection, Prevention, and Security|chapter=Entry to the Ivy League through ID theft|publisher=John Wiley and Sons|year=2009|pages=50–52|isbn=0-470-17999-6}}</ref><ref name="nyp5">{{cite news|url=http://209.10.98.182/seven/05082009/news/regionalnews/ivy_con_gal_planned_a_lifelong_lie_168194.htm|title=Ivy Con Gal Planned A Lifelong Lie|work=New York Post|date=May 8, 2009|accessdate=October 7, 2009|last=Bennett|first=Chuck}}</ref> After agreeing to give [[DNA]] to prove she was indeed Brooke Henson, Esther Reed fled New York City and relocated to [[Chicago]], and changed her identity to Jennifer Myers.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,406323,00.html|title=Con Artist Pleads Guilty to Stealing Missing Woman's Identity to Get Into Ivy League School|work=Fox News|date=August 19, 2009|accessdate=September 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Corriere1">{{cite news|url=http://www.corriere.it/cronache/07_dicembre_04/caccia_regina_usa_aa8eab24-a23a-11dc-9440-0003ba99c53b.shtml|title=Usa: tutti a caccia della "regina"|work=Corriere della Sera|date=December 4, 2008|accessdate=October 7, 2009|last=Olimpio|first=Guido|language=Italian}}</ref>

Revision as of 20:52, 21 June 2018

Esther Elizabeth Reed
Born
Esther Elizabeth Reed

(1978-03-08) March 8, 1978 (age 46)
Townsend, Montana, U.S.
Other namesBrooke Henson
Natalie Fisher
Natalie Bowman
Jennifer Myers
Criminal statusReleased from prison on October 27, 2011
Conviction(s)Fraud
Identity Theft
Criminal chargeMail fraud
Wire fraud
Identity theft
False Statements
Penalty51 months

Esther Elizabeth Reed (born March 8, 1978) is an American woman convicted of fraud and identity theft charges. She is best known for attending California State University, Fullerton and Columbia University School of General Studies using stolen identities, including that of missing person Brooke Henson.[1][2][3]

Biography

Early life and education

Reed was born in 1978 in Townsend, Montana, to Ernie and Florence Reed, and was the youngest of Florence's nine children. When her parents separated in the early 1990s, Reed moved with her mother to Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Reed dropped out of Mountlake Terrace High School in 1995,[4][5] and three years later, in 1998, Florence died of colon cancer.[6]

Missing person

After the passing of her mother, Reed started to spiral out of control. In October 1999, she pled guilty in King County, Washington to attempted possession of stolen property. Shortly after, Reed disappeared and her family didn't hear from her again.[4][7] She was reported missing in 2004 by her father after Social Security checks revealed she was alive.[8][9][10] While Reed was missing, she assumed the identities of other people and often told friends she supported herself as a professional chess player.[11] Reed's situation is unusual because, unlike most identity thieves, she didn't use the identities to run up credit card debt. Instead, she used the fictitious names to obtain an education and start a new life.[12][13]

In 2001, Reed assumed the identity of Natalie Bowman and enrolled as an adjunct student at California State University in Fullerton, California.[14][15][3] While at Fullerton, Reed joined CSUF's debate team and competed in several tournaments, often advancing to the final round.[16][17][18][19][20] At CSU Fullerton, Reed became friends with several debaters at the United States Military Academy at West Point and at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. She dated one of the cadets for an extended period of time and eventually the US Army Criminal Investigation Command would investigate Reed, believing she might have been involved in espionage. Investigators later determined these suspicions were unfounded.[7][6]

In 2003, Reed moved on and earned her GED, using the identity of Brooke Henson, another missing person from Traveler's Rest, South Carolina. Reed also took the SAT and achieved a score of 1400. Using the new credentials, Reed applied to Columbia University, School of General Studies and was admitted to the University. She continued to attend Columbia for 2 years, where she majored in psychology and maintained a 3.22 GPA.[12][13][21]

In 2006, after an internet search by a potential employer revealed Brooke Henson's real identity, police in South Carolina alerted New York City police to Reed.[22][18][23][24][25][26][27] After agreeing to give DNA to prove she was indeed Brooke Henson, Esther Reed fled New York City and relocated to Chicago, and changed her identity to Jennifer Myers.[28][29]

Reed was featured on the United States Secret Service's 10-most-wanted fugitive list and America's Most Wanted on the Fox Television Network.[30][31] She was featured twice in 48 Hours Mystery episodes on CBS: the first, Capture the Queen, aired in 2007, and the second, Catch Her If You Can, aired in 2009.[18][32]

Capture

Main article: Lane Bryant shooting

Finally, on February 3, 2008, in Tinley Park, Illinois, Reed was captured by Tinley Park Police who, coincidentally, were searching the entire area for a gunman who shot and killed five women at a Lane Bryant store. The police were checking all out of state license plates in the area. (Reed's car was in a Sleep Inn motel parking lot in the area.) Federal marshals and police knocked on her door at the Sleep Inn and asked her for her ID. The authorities noticed that the ID she handed them had been flagged by the Secret Service, so she was transported to the police station for questioning, where she confirmed her real name.[33][34][35]

Conviction

Federal Prison Camp, Alderson

Esther Reed was then extradited to South Carolina where she was tried on four felony charges and faced a potential sentence of 47 years in prison. At her sentencing, Reed's attorney argued that her behavior was the result of mental health issues stemming from the death of her mother and severe social anxiety. The lawyer explained that Reed began to experience social phobia during her freshman year of high school. However, her difficulties were mitigated by the presence of her mother, but once she lost that support, Reed's life began to unravel.[12][21][36][37][6][38] She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 51 months in prison. She was released from federal prison on October 27, 2011.[39] Reed's Federal Bureau of Prisons register number was 40024-424.[40]

References

  1. ^ Gaitan, Adrian (May 5, 2010). "The Girl Who Conned Cal State Fullerton". Daily Titan.
  2. ^ "Reed Charged With ID Theft". Harvard Crimson. February 19, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Giacobbe, Alyssa (September 27, 2010). "Admissions of Guilt?". Boston Magazine. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Sullivan, Jennifer (November 1, 2007). "Feds searching for local woman in ID theft cases". The Seattle Times.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ a b c http://www.sabrinaerdely.com/docs/IvyLeague.pdf
  7. ^ a b Alpert, Lukas I. (January 8, 2007). "ID Theft 101: Beauty Cons Her Way Onto Ivys' Rolls As An Ed. Ringer". New York Post. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  8. ^ Garvey, Marianne; Alpert, Lukas I. (January 12, 2007). "Ivy Gal Fled Her Past". New York Post. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  9. ^ Leonard, Tom (March 4, 2008). "Woman's 'nine-year identity fraud spree'". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  10. ^ Alpert, Lukas I.; Garvey, Marianne (January 22, 2007). "Sick Psych-Out". New York Post. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  11. ^ Stasi, Linda (December 1, 2007). "How Did She Do It?". New York Post. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c "The girl who conned Cal State Fullerton". Daily Titan. May 5, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Con artist pleads guilty to stealing missing woman's identity to get into ivy league school". Foxnews.com. August 19, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  14. ^ "The girl who conned Cal State Fullerton". Daily Titan. May 5, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  15. ^ Pignatelli, Margherita (February 19, 2009). "Reed Charged With ID Theft | News | The Harvard Crimson". Thecrimson.com. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  16. ^ Gaitan, Adrian (May 5, 2010). "The girl who conned Cal State Fullerton". Daily Titan.
  17. ^ Porter, Jane (August 28, 2008). "U.S. Colleges Stumped by Fraudulent Applications". Business Week. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  18. ^ a b c "Capture The Queen". CBS News. December 1, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  19. ^ Tuchman, Gary (January 19, 2007). "Woman steals another's identity, gets into Ivy League". CNN. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  20. ^ "Esther Reed – The secret life of a sophisticated identity thief". Credit Identity Safe. February 8, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  21. ^ a b "Mother's death led to identity thefts". Helena Independent Record. May 9, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  22. ^ Ward, Vicky (February 11, 2009). "How an Ordinary Girl Faked Her Way Into the Ivy League". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  23. ^ "Wie sich eine Hochstaplerin durchs Leben log". Welt Online (in German). December 14, 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  24. ^ Olimpio, Guido (November 4, 2007). "Il giallo della donna dai mille volti "Truffatrice o nuova Mata Hari?"". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  25. ^ Tuchman, Gary (January 19, 2007). "Woman steals another's identity, gets into Ivy League". CNN. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  26. ^ Biegelman, Martin T. (2009). "Entry to the Ivy League through ID theft". Identity Theft Handbook: Detection, Prevention, and Security. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 50–52. ISBN 0-470-17999-6.
  27. ^ Bennett, Chuck (May 8, 2009). "Ivy Con Gal Planned A Lifelong Lie". New York Post. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  28. ^ "Con Artist Pleads Guilty to Stealing Missing Woman's Identity to Get Into Ivy League School". Fox News. August 19, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  29. ^ Olimpio, Guido (December 4, 2008). "Usa: tutti a caccia della "regina"". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  30. ^ Sullivan, Jennifer (February 6, 2008). "Mountlake Terrace con artist suspect nabbed after nearly a decade on the run". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  31. ^ "Most Wanted Fugitive Ester Reed Captured". Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report (PDF). United States Secret Service. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 25, 2012. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "Catch Her If You Can". CBS News. May 9, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  33. ^ Moser, Whet. "The strange disappearance and inadvertent capture of Esther Reed | Bleader". Chicago Reader. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  34. ^ "Columbia Con Artist Nabbed in Chicago". Daily News. New York.
  35. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. ^ "Con artist pleads guilty to stealing missing woman's identity to get into ivy league school". Fox News. August 19, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  37. ^ Pignatelli, Margherita (February 19, 2009). "Reed Charged With ID Theft | News | The Harvard Crimson". Thecrimson.com. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  38. ^ Leonard, Tom (February 11, 2009). "Ivy League identity thief 'was hiding from strict family'". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
  39. ^ "Esther Elizabet Reed." [sic] Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  40. ^ "Esther Elizabet Reed." [sic] Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on January 10, 2010.
  • [1], Daily Titan, May 5, 2010
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