Prosecutors: Increase penalties for identity theft

Law enforcement officials urged a Maryland task force Tuesday to boost penalties for identity theft and close practical legal obstacles to conviction.

Identity theft in Maryland is increasingly violent and linked to drugs, particularly methamphetamine, said Del. Doyle Niemann, a Prince George?s Democrat and assistant state?s attorney who led a panel of economic crime experts testifying before the General Assembly?s identity theft task force in Annapolis.