A Woodstock man is facing multiple felony charges for identity fraud involving the sales of airline tickets to customers.

The Woodstock Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit arrested Rashan Lawhorne after a year-long investigation.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint made by Air Tran Airways in 2011, regarding fraudulent activities in the purchase of airline tickets.

After the initial report, the investigation revealed the accused used compromised credit cards to fraudulently purchase airline tickets and then offered them to travelers at a discounted rate. The travelers would be given a reservation number, which they would use to print a boarding ticket and then fly with the airline.

During the period of April through August of 2011, the minimum loss to Air Tran is estimated to be at least $30,000.00.  The transactions not only represented a loss to the airline, but also compromised hundreds of cardholders, some as far as South Dakota.

The charges brought against Lawhorne at this time are 16 counts of identity fraud and one count of theft of services.  Additional charges are pending.

Rashan Lawhorne is currently being held by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Center on a $110,000.00 bond.

The joint investigation was spearheaded by Woodstock Police Department Detectives and involved the cooperation of several Federal Law Enforcement agencies including: The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, banks, credit card companies, as well as other airlines.