A Ponoka man previously convicted of forgery has pleaded guilty to new identity-theft related offences and will be sentenced later this month.
Gregory Thomas Allen, 36, entered a guilty plea on the first day of his trial Dec. 2, 2024, at the Ponoka Court of Justice.
Allen was charged with the recent offences after a victim made a report to the Smoky Lake RCMP in August.
Several credit cards had been taken out in the victim's name. A vehicle had been purchased in their name as well.
In the course of their investigation, the Smoky Lake RCMP identified Allen, a Ponoka resident, as the suspect.
On Dec. 13, officers from Ponoka and Smoky Lake RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on 54 St. and 54 Ave. in Ponoka.
Officers allegedly found fabricated credit cards, printers with blank cheques loaded in them, documents with other individuals’ personal information including driver’s licences, stolen property, and a firearm with an altered serial number and other weapons.
Allen was initially charged with 12 offences, including identification theft and identification fraud and possession of stolen property over $5,000.
The judge is to give a decision on Dec. 20, 2024, at the Ponoka courthouse.
Allen was previously convicted of several identify-theft related offences.
On July 18, 2021, Allen was found in possession of personal identification and financial cards in various names and was charged with 13 criminal offences.
He was found guilty on Sept. 17, 2021 of possessing a forged/false credit card, forging a document, housebreaking/committing threats, and failing to comply with a release order and sentenced to 240 days in jail and 12 months' probation.
Nine other charges were withdrawn.
