MESA - The following is a press release from the Maricopa County Attorney's office:

County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today that Mesa resident Crystal Wright, 30 (DOB 7/26/78), has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for a charge related to identity theft. The sentence, that includes two years probation and financial restitution, was issued on November 3, 2008 in the courtroom of Judge Connie Contes.

In March 2008, Wright was arrested at a Chandler Wal-Mart while attempting to pick up merchandise fraudulently purchased on line with a stolen credit card number. When the defendant was arrested at Wal-Mart for the fraudulent purchase, Wright provided the drivers license of Margaret Farnsworth and was booked in as Margaret Farnsworth and released the next day.

Shortly thereafter, the real Margaret Farnsworth was contacted by a friend who informed her that there was a small crime story in a local newspaper that stated Margaret Farnsworth had been arrested for this attempted theft incident. The police ultimately identified the Wal-Mart suspect as Wright and she was apprehended.

According to a Tempe Police probable cause statement, the total amount charged to the victim’s account was $7, 852.00.

“I trust the announcement of this sentence, and the details of the case, will bring some relief to the victim who had her good name tarnished,” said Thomas.

Wright pled guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft, a class three felony with one prior felony conviction on September 25, 2008.