Judge gives ex-Air Force member 4 years for identity theft

CHICAGO (AP) - A former U.S. Air Force member from North Carolina has been sentenced by a Chicago federal judge to four years in prison in an identity theft case.

Federal prosecutors say jurors earlier this year convicted 28-year-old Ronnie Allen II of Greensboro, North Carolina on two counts of identity theft, among other charges. Prosecutors say Allen stole an Air Force personnel roster that contained names, birthdates and Social Security numbers about more than 1,400 Air Force members stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

Prosecutors say Allen distributed the stolen information hoping to make money. Authorities say the information was used to fraudulently open financial accounts and file tax returns in Air Force members' names.

Co-defendant Antorondi Benion of Bellwood, Illinois, was sentenced to 70 months in prison.