Today Jocelyn Kirsch, a Drexel University Student, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty three months ago to charges of conspiracy, access-device fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Dubbed the "Bonnie and Clyde" of identity theft, Kirsch and her then-boyfriend, Edward Anderton, a University of Pennsylvania graduate with a degree in economics were charged separately. While Kirsch’s defense lawyer suggested that her sentence should be shorter because of mental illness, the presiding judge did not agree.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Jocelyn S. Kirsch, the former Drexel University student who pleaded guilty to engaging in a bold identity-fraud scam, was sentenced this morning to five years in prison.

"This sentence properly punishes the defendant, provides full restitution and protects the public," said U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno at the close of a two-hour hearing this morning.

The judge said the crimes were serious.

"There's no apparent object to these acts other than greed and a desire to fuel a lavish lifestyle," said Robreno. "A message must be sent out from this sentence that credit card fraud will not pay."

Robreno also ordered Kirsch, 23, to receive mental-health treatment in prison and to be supervised by probation officials for five years when she is released from prison. He also ordered her to pay just over $100,000 in restitution, minus several thousand dollars already set aside for the repayment.

… Kirsch, who has been in custody since June, pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy, access-device fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

Kirsch told many lies during her scams, including that she was an Olympic-class pole vaulter and that she had violet eyes because of her Lithuanian descent (the real reason: colored contacts.) Evidently Kirsch and Anderton used the money to travel to Paris, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. They also bought furniture, jewelry, and electronics. Perhaps Anderton, with his knowledge of economics, merely wished to keep American commerce healthy?