Woman admits to credit card fraud

BANGOR – A Bucksport woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to using credit cards stolen last year from a van in Acadia National Park to purchase more than $1,500 in merchandise.

Tracy Ann Clough, formerly known as Tracy Ann Paquette, admitted she used credit cards stolen by her husband, David L. Clough, also known as David L. Finch, 44, of Bucksport and Surry, to buy jewelry, an air pistol, cigarettes, camping equipment and a prepaid cell phone.

Her sentencing date has not been set. She was released Tuesday on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Tracy Clough, 42, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. She also could be ordered to pay restitution.

The prosecution stemmed from a July 4, 2004, report to a park ranger at Acadia Park. A park visitor reported that two windows had been broken on his van and his wallet, portable CD player, cell phone and walkie-talkie were missing. Two weeks later, the victim reported that more than $1,500 had been charged to his credit cards before he could cancel them.

Once rangers determined what had been purchased with the stolen credit cards, a park dispatcher called the number of the prepaid cell phone and offered to send the woman who answered the phone a card with additional free minutes. Tracy Clough took the bait and gave the dispatcher her home address in Bucksport.

During a search of the Cloughs’ residence in October, investigators found marijuana, a homemade water pipe, and a 100,000-volt stun gun, along with the jewelry, camping equipment and other items purchased with the stolen credit cards.

Federal charges related to the incident have not been filed against David Clough, who has a long criminal history in Penobscot County.

David Clough, known to law enforcement officers as David Finch, was out on bail for a 2003 home invasion in Brunswick when he allegedly broke into the van and stole the wallet in July 2004.

His criminal activities have been linked to Lionel Cormier, 52, of Norwood, Mass. Cormier was sentenced in June in U.S. District Court in Portland to 34 years in prison for robbing an Orland couple of narcotics.

The status of charges against David Clough in both home invasions could not be determined Tuesday.