ISP: Woman found with stolen social security cards, counterfeit credit cards after identity theft investigation

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana woman is facing over 30 charges following a two-year investigation led by Indiana State Police into an identity theft scheme that spanned three counties.

In December 2023, ISP launched a criminal investigation into possible fraud following a report detailing a “suspicious” online purchase from a business based in Fishers. This alleged transaction involved the use of an identity that detectives believe was stolen to create a line of credit with the company.

ISP stated that a store employee then requested the suspect visit the business so they could complete the purchase in person, after observing some “red flags.” The suspect never showed up.

After reviewing the information the suspect used to create the credit application and online order, detectives found a link to a residence located on Dobbs Ferry Drive on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

Detectives successfully applied for a search warrant at the residence in February 2024 and recovered multiple items of evidence that ISP said indicated identity theft, fraud and forgery.

This soon led detectives to identify Diara Jernigan of Gary, Indiana, as the primary suspect in the case. ISP said its investigation uncovered evidence that Jernigan had made fraudulent purchases on several items, ranging from cell phones to appliances and jewelry. ISP said Jernigan allegedly used stolen identities to rent homes throughout Indianapolis and gained access to utilities at the homes.

Authorities placed Jernigan under arrest in February 2025 on active warrants out of Hamilton and Hendricks counties. Detectives seized additional evidence from Jernigan’s apartment in downtown Indianapolis as they continued to build their case. This resulted in additional preliminary charges being filed against her.

Jernigan faces a total of 36 charges following an extensive investigation into the alleged crimes. A detailed breakdown of each charge can be viewed below:

• Nine counts of Identity Deception (Level 6 Felony)
• Seven counts of Forgery (Level 6 Felony)
• Six counts of Fraud (Level 6 Felony)
• Five counts of Theft (Level 6 Felony)
• Corrupt Business Influence (Level 5 Felony)
• Four counts of False Government ID (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Four counts of Fraud (Class A Misdemeanor)

Detectives also recovered the following items over the course of their investigation:

• Five firearms, of which three were reportedly stolen
• Counterfeit US currency and credit cards
• Credit card stamping machine
• 125 fraudulent state identification cards from five different states
• 15 fraudulent/stolen social security cards
• Around $20,000 in cash
• Jewelry, tools and other items that were fraudulently purchased

ISP noted that detectives identified five additional suspects connected to the case who are also under investigation for possible crimes of theft and forgery.

Online court records indicate Jernigan is scheduled to appear in Hamilton Superior Court 4 on Jan. 15 for the start of her jury trial. Records do not yet reflect when she is due to appear in court to face her pending charges in Marion County in relation to the case.