Mortgage fraud suspect Matthew Cox ordered held pending trial

<p>A federal magistrate judge Monday ordered a man accused of stealing the identities of homeless people as part of a massive mortgage fraud scheme to be held without bail pending trial.</p><p>Matthew Cox, 36, appeared haggard in a white T-shirt and tan pants as he pleaded not guilty to a 42-count indictment during a brief hearing in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.</p><p>He spoke softly as he was advised of his rights and the charges against him. His attorney, Mildred Dunn, did not fight the government's request to detain him pending trial, and Judge Linda Walker ordered him held.</p><p>Assistant U.S. Attorney Gale McKenzie disclosed that Cox, in addition to the charges in Georgia, also will face federal charges in Nashville, Tenn., and Tampa, Fla., but that those cases could be consolidated in Atlanta.</p><p>The Secret Service arrested Cox, one of its most-wanted fugitives, on Nov. 16 in Nashville on charges he and his partner stole identities to take more than $1 million from victims in several Southern states. McKenzie said Cox made statements to authorities about his activities. She also said he agreed to let the government seize his assets.</p><p>Authorities put out a warrant for Cox and Rebecca Marie Hauck in 2004.</p><p>Prosecutors say Hauck and Cox rented properties, fraudulently erased mortgage liens on the properties and then stole the owners' identities and fraudulently took out multiple new mortgage loans.</p><p>They also used stolen identities to obtain drivers licenses, purchase vehicles, lease mail drops, rent apartments and open bank accounts to receive proceeds from their schemes in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina, authorities said.</p><p>Cox allegedly obtained some of the stolen identities from homeless people by posing as a Red Cross worker taking a survey. His indictment lists seven aliases.</p><p>Hauck, 34, and Cox, were indicted on charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of fraud proceeds, identity theft, money laundering and conspiracy. Hauck was arrested in March while living under a stolen identity in Houston.</p><p>Hauck pleaded guilty and was sentenced last month to five years, 10 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay restitution of $1.2 million, and ordered to forfeit to the government any profits from any book, television or any entertainment rights.</p><p>Cox was arrested after authorities received a tip from someone who had seen his picture on the Secret Service Web site.</p><p>Cox was also a fugitive from federal and county courts in Florida for a 2003 probation violation.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/12/111163