A Midvale man has been charged with 30 felonies, for running what prosecutors say was a "sophisticated" operation, where he allegedly stole personal information to produce fake checks and IDs. Joseph Russell Mikulski, 40, is charged with engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony; nine counts of forging an ID, a second-degree felony; 10 counts of possessing another person's ID, a third-degree felony; and 10 counts of forgery, a third-degree felony. Prosecutors say Mikulski used a "very sophisticated methodology" to steal a person's ID-usually through breaking into the victim's car-and then converting that information into different forms, such as checks and IDs. They go on to say they believe there are "scores of victims."
The investigation into Milkulski began in May 2016, after police were called to his residence to investigate an assault case. While inside police noticed several laptops, hard drives, and cellphones. Detectives would eventually find forged driver's licenses and Social Security cards, as well as checks made out to Milkuski's victims. He would make a fake ID using a victim's real name, then create a fake check made out to that person so he could cash them and pocket the money, according to charging documents.
Court records show Mikulski is no stranger to this, as he has a long record of similar activity.
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