Jody Gene Oates is accused of identity theft. (KGW Photo)

Judge Refuses Bail for ID Theft Suspect

December 17, 2001, 08:00 AM

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By AP Staff

The man accused of an identity theft scheme that could have targeted more than one million Oregonians remains in jail after a judge refused to lower his $90,000 bail.

A lawyer for 44-year-old Jody Gene Oates of Hillsboro says his client had open-heart surgery in November and needs to see a doctor for a follow-up visit. The lawyer says Oates can't afford bail because he hasn't worked since he became disabled in July.

Oates has pleaded innocent to 13 counts of identity theft and four other forgery-related charges. Police say that during a search of Oates' apartment last month, they found a C-D ROM with the state's driver's license database, including names, addresses and dates of birth.

Washington County Circuit Judge Mark Gardner refused to lower Oates' bail after learning from prosecutors that Oates has been convicted four times for failing to appear at court hearings.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)