Michael Burns Arrested on Identity Theft Charges

Authorities in Bend charged a local man with 19 counts involving theft, forgery, and bad checks.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Financial Crime

Michael Burns Arrested on Identity Theft Charges

Police arrested Michael Burns on 19 criminal charges, including identity and aggravated theft, following accusations that he stole over $50,000 from a Bend woman. The arrest marks a new development in a series of legal issues for Burns, who has multiple past fraud convictions.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing risk of financial deception, as authorities allege Burns utilized fake financial portfolios and shell companies to defraud victims. The charges reflect an effort by Deschutes County officials to address a pattern of alleged criminal activity spanning several decades.

Michael Burns faces two counts of aggravated theft, four counts of theft, five counts of identity theft, three counts of forgery, and four counts of negotiating a bad check. He is currently awaiting a plea entry scheduled for October 16, 2026.

The players

Michael Burns

He is the defendant facing 19 charges of identity theft and forgery who has a criminal history of fraud spanning back to the 1990s.

Deschutes County

This is the jurisdiction responsible for investigating and prosecuting the current criminal charges filed against the defendant.

The details

Burns allegedly stole more than $50,000 between May and June 2023 by using forged financial documents, including a Fidelity account statement and a Quit Claim Deed. Investigators claim he established a shell company to secure up-front commitment fees from his victims.

May 2022: Burns was found guilty of falsifying business records.
May and June 2023: The alleged theft of over $50,000 occurred.
September 29, 2026: Michael Burns was arrested.
September 30, 2026: The victim requested that the court keep the defendant off the streets.
October 16, 2026: Burns is scheduled to enter a plea.

Legal Context

This case follows a decades-long pattern of fraudulent activity by the defendant that includes multiple convictions in Hawaii and a federal prison term for wire fraud. It serves as a reminder of the recidivism risks inherent in complex financial crime cases within Deschutes County.

Local residents and business owners are encouraged to remain vigilant when entering into financial agreements, especially those involving unsolicited investment opportunities. The court process serves to address the safety concerns raised by the victim following the defendant's recent arrest.

The takeaway

Repeat offenders in financial crime often utilize similar sophisticated methods like shell companies to build trust before defrauding victims. Protecting personal assets requires verifying the legitimacy of all financial portfolios and legal documents before committing funds.