Judge gives career criminal 10 years in prison for identity fraud

Tampa, Florida -- A woman with 40 prior convictions was sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison Friday on her guilty plea to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Michelle Morton, 39, of Tampa must also make financial restitution to her victims.

"Morton stole purses, wallets, checks, driver's licenses, and Social Security cards, then opened bank accounts in the names of her victims, deposited stolen checks into them, and obtained $18,965.57," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Many of her victims were elderly and several appeared at her sentencing to explain how their lives were ruined by her criminal conduct.

When arrested on state charges, she made false allegations against a judge in an attempt to force him to withdraw from her cases, prosecutors said.

Her prior record included more than 40 Florida criminal convictions, they added.

Morton pleaded guilty to the federal charges last October. Her sentence was handed down Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich.