Billie Jean Peterson, 25, of Lawrence, Kansas, United States is accused of stealing personal information from neighbors, acquaintances and coworkers. Over several months, she allegedly used the stolen information to fraudulently charged thousands to the bank accounts of 18 victims.

Peterson previously lived in Eudora, Kansas. From June 2021 to November 2021, she was employed at Heartland Community Health Center, which operates a dental practice and other services in Lawrence.

As soon as Peterson started working at Heartland Community Health Center, she allegedly started victimizing her coworkers at multiple dentist’s offices. In March 2022, a group of her coworkers at a dental office compared fraudulent charges on their accounts and notified the Lawrence Police Department.

In April 2022, the Lawrence Police Department executed a search warrant and found more clues and potential victims of Peterson. During the investigation, managers and employees at each dental clinic where she worked in 2021 have been helpful and cooperative.

At around 1:20 p.m. on August 2, 2022, Peterson was arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail in Lawrence. She was charged with 56 counts of identity theft, 28 counts of unlawful computer acts and 26 counts of criminal use of a financial card.

On August 3, 2022, Peterson was formally charged in Douglas County District Court. In the afternoon, she was released on a $50,000 own-recognizance bond.