In December of 2023, Indiana State Police began investigating a case involving identity theft and fraud that stemmed from an attempted online purchase from business in Fishers. The suspect allegedly went online, used a stolen identity to open a line of credit with the business and completed an online purchase order. When an employee of the business contacted the suspect to finalize the purchase, they noticed some red flags regarding the purchase and requested the suspect to appear in person to complete the transaction. The suspect never appeared.
State Police Detectives examined the information used by the suspect to complete the credit application and online order, which led them to an address on Dobbs Ferry Drive in Indianapolis. A search warrant was served at that residence in February of 2024. There, detectives recovered items indicative of identity theft, fraud, theft, forgery and other offenses.
Further investigation resulted in Diara Jernigan of Gary, Indiana, being identified as the primary suspect in numerous instances where stolen identities were used to fraudulently purchase goods including cell phones, machinery, appliances, tools, and jewelry. Jernigan is believed to have used stolen identities to rent homes in Indianapolis and obtain utilities and other services at the homes.
In February of 2025, Jernigan was arrested in Indianapolis on warrants out of Hamilton and Hendricks counties for multiple felony charges as a result of this investigation. A search of her downtown Indianapolis apartment located additional evidence of continued criminal activity of identity theft, fraud, and theft. State Police have now completed their investigation with a recently filed case in Marion County for various crimes.
All totaled, Diara Jernigan has been charged with 36 total charges, 28 of which are felonies, to include Corrupt Business Influence, Forgery, Identity Deception, Theft, Fraud, and Possessing False Government IDs.
Total charges for all three counties against Diara Jernigan -36 charges (28 felonies, 8 misdemeanors)Corrupt Business Influence
FelonyFraud (6 counts)
Identity Deception (9 counts)
Theft (5 counts)
Forgery (7 counts)
MisdemeanorFalse Government ID (4 counts)
Fraud (4 counts)
This complex investigation included the following actions:
Issuance/service of over 120 search warrants and/or subpoenas
Recovery of five firearms (3 stolen)
Seizure of Counterfeit US currency and credit cards, including a credit card stamping machine
125 fraudulent state identification cards from five different states
15 fraudulent/stolen social security cards
Approximately $20,000 in cash
Fraudulently purchased jewelry, tools and other goods currently in forfeiture proceedings
This investigation also resulted in the identification of five additional suspects who are currently under investigation and/or have been charged with various similar crimes.
All crimes mentioned are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.