Disclaimer: This article contains information about a criminal act and may be distressing for some readers. Please read at your own discretion.
A 47-year-old woman, Shannon Lee Smith, was arrested on July 22, after the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) released her photos, naming her as a suspect in multiple cases spanning from September 2022 to March 2024.
Who is the Suspect?
Shannon Smith, also known by several aliases, is the key figure in this case.
Investigators began their probe in November 2023 following a report by Jennifer O’Connor, who received a $26,533.70 medical bill from Banner Health for services she never received.
What Happened?
O’Connor reported receiving medical bills from Banner Desert Medical Center and Banner Boswell Medical Center for dates she never visited. Her name and details were used fraudulently, leading to these hefty charges.
According to the source, further complicating matters, a warrant check on O’Connor revealed a misdemeanor warrant for trespassing.
Despite this, investigators found discrepancies between the warrant and surveillance footage, showing the suspect was not O’Connor.
O’Connor also received bills from HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center for procedures she never underwent and learned that her personal information was misused to attempt sign-ups for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
Impact and Investigation
Due to these identity thefts, Banner Health began garnishing O’Connor’s wages.
Investigators found that the suspect used the phone number of O’Connor’s ex-husband, who lived at the address linked to the fraudulent activities.
The total bills accumulated by O’Connor now exceed $350,000, with additional charges expected as billing records are still being reviewed.
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Smith was arrested at Paradise Valley Hospital and faces six extraditable warrants from Idaho.
What Are the Charges?
Smith is charged with fraudulent schemes and artifices, taking the identity of another person, theft, and criminal impersonation, all of which are felonies.
A judge has set her bond at $100,000. If the bond is paid, she will undergo electronic monitoring. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 29.