Suspect wanted in Adams County arrested in New York forgery, ID theft bust

BRIGHTON — A man wanted in Adams County on charges of money laundering, identity theft and forgery was arrested Jan. 2 in Watertown, N.Y., after allegedly using a stolen credit card to purchase more than $1,500 in goods.

Courtesy Jefferson County (N.Y.) Sherrif's Office

Nathan L. Howard, left, and Ashley Perlmutter were arrested Jan. 2 in Watertown, N.Y., as part of an ongoing investigation into identity theft and forgery. Howard is wanted in Adams County on similar charges.

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As first reported by the Watertown Daily Times, Nathan L. Howard, 25, and Ashley N. Perlmutter, 23, were arraigned Jan. 3 in Watertown municipal court and held on charges of fourth-degree larceny, second- and third-degree ID theft and petty larceny. Bail was set at $25,000 for both Howard and Perlmutter.

Howard, who also used the alias “Daniel G. Howard,” is listed as a fugitive from justice in Adams County on charges of forgery, ID theft, money launderying and possession of tools used for identity theft. In addition to the aforementioned charges in New York, Howard also faces a second-degree forgery charge and a second-degree charge of criminal impersonation for providing a fake name at the time of arrest and booking, according to Detective D.J. Pustizzi of the Jefferson County, N.Y., Sherrif's Office.

In a news release, Det. Pustizzi said authorities were tipped off to Howard and Perlmutter's whereabouts after Walmart store security alerted them to the couple's attempted use of a stolen card Jan. 2.

New York law-enforcement officials say that Howard and Perlmutter were receiving credit card information from a third party and using computer equipment to clone the cards. In addition to purchasing goods with the stolen cards, officials say Howard and Perlmutter also used the cards to get cash back during purchases.

Howard and Perlmutter's last known residence prior to their arrest was in Oswego County, N.Y.