A Fishers business played a key role in launching a major Indiana State Police investigation that has now resulted in dozens of criminal charges against a Gary woman accused of carrying out a multi-county identity-theft and fraud scheme.

State Police say the case began in December 2023, when a suspect attempted to make an online purchase from a Fishers business using a stolen identity. Investigators say the suspect allegedly used someone else’s personal information to open a line of credit, then completed an online order.

An alert employee in Fishers raised concerns after spotting red flags and asked the buyer to come in person to finalize the transaction. The suspect never appeared, prompting a report to authorities and the start of a statewide investigation.

Detectives traced information used in the fraudulent purchase to a residence on Dobbs Ferry Drive in Indianapolis. A search warrant served there in February 2024 reportedly uncovered evidence of identity theft, fraud, forgery, and other offenses.

Police say the investigation led them to identify Diara Jernigan of Gary, Indiana, as the primary suspect in a series of fraudulent purchases involving stolen identities. According to investigators, Jernigan is believed to have used stolen information to obtain phones, machinery, appliances, tools, jewelry — and even to rent homes and set up utilities in Indianapolis.

Jernigan was arrested in February 2025 in Indianapolis on warrants out of Hamilton and Hendricks counties tied to the case. A search of her downtown Indianapolis apartment allegedly turned up additional evidence of ongoing fraud activity.

A new case has now been filed in Marion County, completing the state police investigation.

In total, Jernigan faces 36 charges across three counties, including 28 felony counts, among them:

• Corrupt Business Influence

• Identity Deception (9 counts)

• Forgery (7 counts)

• Fraud (6 felony counts + 4 misdemeanor counts)

• Theft (5 counts)

• Possessing False Government IDs (4 misdemeanor counts)

State Police say the complex investigation involved more than 120 search warrants and subpoenas. Investigators also reported seizing five firearms — including three stolen guns — counterfeit currency, fraudulent credit cards and a credit-card stamping machine, 125 fraudulent ID cards from five states, 15 stolen Social Security cards, about $20,000 in cash, and fraudulently obtained merchandise now in forfeiture proceedings.

Officials say five additional suspects were identified during the investigation and are under review or facing charges.

The Indiana State Police emphasize that all crimes mentioned are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The case began, investigators note, thanks to a Fishers employee who recognized warning signs and took action — a move police say may have prevented more victims and helped uncover a wide-ranging fraud operation.