A West Liberty woman was charged Aug. 22 after she allegedly stole a Texas woman’s identity earlier this year.

According to an Iowa City police complaint, Julieta Venegas, 39, was charged after police received a call from a detective in New Jersey regarding a possible identity theft in Iowa. The complaint said the suspect in the case allegedly used the ID and Social Security number of a Texas woman to gain employment and benefits in Iowa.

The complaint said police were able to locate Venegas with assistance from her employer, neighborhood canvases, and West Liberty police. She was confronted during a Homeland Security audit at her workplace in early 2012, according to the complaint. When asked for further identification, Venegas allegedly refused and left work. She didn’t return, according to the complaint.

Venegas does not have an issued Social Security number or an Iowa driver’s license, according to the complaint. The Texas woman suffered financially from Venegas’ actions, the complaint said.

Venegas is charged with identity theft, a Class-D felony.

— by Matt Starns