Woman pleads not guilty to identity theft

A woman police say was using a Social Security number stolen in Laredo, Texas, pleaded not guilty to identity theft Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Gloria Angeles, 32, told police she had purchased the card in Chicago 13 years ago, Assistant State's Attorney Tim Neihus said.

Neihus said Angeles applied for a job at an Antioch restaurant using the card and an Illinois driver's license in the name of Nora L. Delana in October 2007.

Angeles got the job and had worked under that name ever since she was hired, Neihus said.

Recently, the real Nora Delana received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service saying she had underpaid her taxes.

She went to police in Texas, Neihus said, and the IRS directed them to Antioch police.

Antioch police questioned Angeles, Neihus said, and arrested her after she confessed to using the false name and Social Security number.

Circuit Judge James Booras told Angeles she faces up to three years in prison if convicted, and could also be deported to Mexico if found guilty.

He scheduled a trial of the case for June 11, and ordered Angeles to appear in court June 4.