Suffolk Resident Clears Name After Decade-Long Identity Theft Ordeal

After nearly a decade of navigating legal hurdles, a Suffolk County resident has finally cleared her name of criminal and traffic charges she says were committed by a relative who impersonated her. Patience Daniels, who had been unable to maintain her driver's license due to the fraudulent activity, saw her record expunged this week following an inquiry by the '7 On Your Side' investigative unit.

Daniels reported that the impersonator had used her identity during multiple traffic stops, resulting in a series of citations for offenses including drug possession and mobile phone use while driving. These violations led to roughly $6,000 in outstanding judgments and the suspension of her license, which significantly impacted her ability to work in her field of caring for adults with disabilities.

While Daniels had previously managed to secure the dismissal of some individual judgments through court appearances, the full restoration of her driving status remained elusive for years. The situation was compounded by personal hardships, including the 2015 murder of her daughter’s father and the passing of her father, a deacon, last year.

Following outreach from the '7 On Your Side' team to the Suffolk Traffic and Parking Violations agency, the remaining judgments were dismissed and her license was reinstated within 48 hours. The agency and the New York State DMV have since updated her records to reflect the resolution of the case. Daniels expressed relief at the outcome, noting that the restoration of her license marks the end of a long period of instability.