Torrance Residents Among Victims of College Student's Identity Theft

A West Los Angeles Community College student has been arrested on suspicion of stealing the identities of victims from Mississippi to Torrance to help put herself through college and purchase personal items, authorities said Wednesday.

Reon Jordan, 34, was arrested Tuesday at her South Los Angeles home and booked on suspicion of grand theft, burglary and unauthorized use of personal identifying information, said Deputy Kim Manatt of the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau. She was ordered Wednesday to remain held on $1.2 million bail until her Monday arraignment.

If convicted as charged, Jordan could face up to 19 years and eight months behind bars, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

“The suspect was allegedly using fraudulently obtained credit card numbers and identities to purchase gift receipts on campus,” Manatt said. “She would then use these gift receipts to pay for classes she was enrolled in at the college.”

Jordan allegedly bought other items, including jewelry and clothing, “with her proceeds from the scheme,” Manatt said.

Investigators believe Jordan obtained her victims’ information when she worked at ABEO, a medical billing company with offices in Pasadena, Manatt said.