Philly 'Don Juan' gets 15 years in ID theft ring

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - November 28, 2011 (WPVI) -- A "Don Juan"-style bandit from Philadelphia is going to prison for 15 years for running an ID theft ring with the help of girlfriends at several banks.

Federal prosecutors say 35-year-old Miguel Bell romanced bank workers to get them to pass on customer information. He must also pay $1.7 million in restitution after Monday's sentencing.

Fifteen others pleaded guilty in the case, including a PNC bank branch manager, Wachovia Bank teller and Colonial Penn Insurance Co. employee.

Bell questioned the credibility of the co-defendants turned government witnesses, but a jury convicted him in June.

Authorities say the scheme ended when Bell crashed his car into a tree - leading police to a cache of fake credit cards and drivers' licenses inside.

Bell's lawyer did not immediately return a message Monday.

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