Man arrested for drug warrant now charged with ID theft

Joshua Johnston, 29, accused of using victims' personal information

SAN ANTONIO – A 29-year-old man arrested for having an outstanding drug-related warrant has landed in even bigger trouble.  

San Antonio police believe Joshua Johnston has been stealing people's personal information and using it to make phony drivers licenses, print and cash bogus checks and open bank accounts. 

An arrest affidavit stated that police got their first clue after taking Johnston into custody on the warrant on Jan. 7.

They said inside his wallet they found numerous counterfeit checks, identification cards and drivers licenses with his picture but other people's names, the affidavit stated.

During their investigation, detectives said they tracked down one of the victims who told them that Johnston had stolen his wallet and vehicle during a robbery. 

They said they questioned Johnston who admitted that he had used that man's information to create and pass checks and open bank accounts. 

The affidavit stated that Johnston had even gone to the Department of Public Safety's website and changed the address on the victim's drivers license to his own.

Police said during a search of a motel room where he was staying, they found the personal information of about ten other people.

Johnston was arrested Tuesday on charges of tampering with government records and fraudulent use of identifying information.


About the Author

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.

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