ID theft case takes deadly turn

CNN - An identity theft case involving a Brooklyn couple has taken a more serious turn, according to federal prosecutors.

Dmitriy Yakovlev, 42, and his wife were arrested in August 2009 and charged with, among other things, identity theft and bank fraud. But now Yakovlev is facing charges in the slayings of two of their identity theft victims, according to a news release from Robert Nardoza, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Yakovlev has been charged with the murders of Irina Malezhik, a Russian language translator who lived in Brooklyn and went missing in October 2007, and Viktor Alekseyev, who disappeared in December 2005 and whose remains were found in New Jersey in 2006, according to the release.

A third identity theft victim, Brooklyn resident Michael Klein, disappeared in November 2003 and has not been seen since.

In addition to Yakovlev's murder charges, he and his wife, Julia Yakovlev, 36, were charged in a superseding indictment Thursday with 17 counts of identity theft, bank fraud, credit card fraud and "effecting fraudulent transactions" by illegally using three people's identities between 2003 and 2007, according to the release. His wife does not face any murder charges.

NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said in a statement, "Identity theft victims usually lose their money. In this case, they allegedly lost their lives, too. That's why this investigation and prosecution takes on special meaning for all those involved in bringing it to a successful conclusion."

The couple was arrested and charged last year with identity theft after Malezhik went missing. She was last seen on October 15, 2007, leaving her apartment on a security video camera. Immediately after her disappearance, the couple began withdrawing money and purchasing various items in Malezhik's name, according to court documents.

Ken Russo, attorney for Dmitriy Yakovlev, said, ""I'm skeptical as to the foundation and nature of charges."

Julia Yakovlev's attorney, Alexei Grosshtern, would only tell CNN that there are "no new charges" against his client. He said any charges in the superseding indictment already existed in August 2009's original indictment.

Grosshtern and Russo said their client will be arraigned on Monday.

Dmitriy Yakovlev remains in jail, Russo said, but his wife is out on bail.