BANGOR – When a former Verizon employee allegedly set out to steal a customer’s identity, she really picked the wrong man.

Mary L. Landry, 43, of Bangor last year allegedly used the Social Security number and date of birth of a rear admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard to obtain credit cards.

Landry pleaded not guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to nine counts of identity theft, wire fraud and Social Security fraud.

The investigating agencies that uncovered Landry’s alleged activities included the U.S Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Investigating Service.

As a billing representative for Verizon, Landry had access to customers’ birth dates and Social Security numbers, according to court documents. Between April and July 2007, she obtained and used several credit cards including two Visa cards, one Discover card and one Fashion Bug credit card.

Court documents do not say how much money Landry charged on each card. The indictment does say that she charged more than $1,000 on a Visa Platinum card in a six-week period.

Landry was released Wednesday on $5,000 unsecured bail.

A tentative trial date was set for Dec. 2.

If convicted, Landry faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the most serious charge of wire fraud. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, she faces a two-year mandatory minimum sentence.

Landry also would be ordered to pay restitution to the credit card companies if convicted.

jharrison@bangordailynews.net

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