School worker charged with credit fraud

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Jennifer Salazar, 26, of 90031 San Mateo Rd., faces multiple counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, forgery, identity theft and tampering with evidence.
Salazar faces two preliminary hearings one on Tuesday, the other Feb. 26, stemming from two arrests in connection with charges by Milan Police and then Grants Police while Salazar was in the Cibola County Detention Center.

Milan Police charges are: Two counts of larceny, both misdemeanors; fraudulent use of credit cards, a petty misdemeanor; fraud, a petty misdemeanor, and three felonies, theft of a credit card and tampering with evidence.
Grants Police charges are: Two counts of larceny, petty misdemeanors; three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, petty misdemeanors; three counts of fraud, misdemeanors, and three felonies, forgery, theft of a credit card and tampering with evidence.

In January, Salazar took a credit card from a co-worker at Milan Elementary School Christina Vega and a friend Adrianne Jaramillo, and purchased items locally.

Vega said she was shocked that a co-worker took her credit card.

“She was so proud to work with me and at the school,” she said.

Vega said she no longer takes her purse to school with her but keeps it under lock and key.

While in custody at the detention center on Feb. 15, following her arrest by Milan Police, Grants Police arrested Salazar in connection with another incident.

Detective Amber Marez said one thing she urges people to do is not to allow a purse or wallet to be in an exposed location and never carry a Social Security card.

“People can get access to all kinds of things with a Social Security number,” she said.

People can get driver’s licenses and find a date of birth, then get credit cards and literally steal someone’s identity, she said.

Milan Police Chief Jerry Stephens said people should safeguard their credits cards and other information at the workplace.

“You cannot be too trusting a person, there may be a criminal element around,” he said.

If you have to mail a credit card payment, take it to the post office and drop it in the box,” he said.

“Do not put it in the mailbox at the end of your driveway, someone can drive by, see the small flag up and take it.

They would then have access to your credit card information.

“Save all your receipts, reconcile them every month then shred them. Do not just throw them away, those numbers can be found in the trash,” he said.

Salazar faces up to 12 1/2 years in state prison, up to more than $20,000 in fines, or both, if prosecuted and convicted of all charges.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197
or e-mail:jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com