Orlando woman says identity thief left her with a criminal history that isn't hers

ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando woman who has a criminal justice degree is fighting the legal system and job community to clear her name.

Latarsha Kinchen has no criminal history, but Orange County Clerk of Court records show she’s been convicted of aggravated assault and resisting an officer.

What really happened was that Africa Money James was arrested on those charges in 2014, but gave officers Kinchen's name and was booked in the Orange County Jail under Kinchen's name.

"I just feel like the system failed me, the system failed me.  I'm a law-abiding citizen," Kinchen told Channel 9's Janine Reyes.

Kinchen told Eyewitness News her job hunt is impossible. She has passed several job interviews, but has failed the background check because of her “criminal history.”

Kinchen has disputed those claims.

An official with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said all its documents surrounding Kinchen have been cleared.

An official with the Department of Justice said they need the state attorney’s office to notify them to change the name.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement gave Kinchen an identification card that verifies she doesn’t have a criminal history.

Africa has a long criminal history according to court records.

Cox Media Group