Comments on Current Events In Criminal Law from the Federal Criminal Courts in Texas

December 17, 2007

FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTS LOCAL RESIDENTS IN IDENTITY THEFT SCAM TO FRAUDULENTLY COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS

DALLAS — A federal grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment charging six area residents with offenses related to a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District Texas.

Gordon Heddell, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, stated, “This indictment demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. Attorney and law enforcement to protect the Unemployment Insurance program from fraud and identity theft. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who seek to enrich themselves by defrauding the Department of Labor’s programs.”

U.S. Attorney Roper said, “This indictment is the result of excellent investigative efforts and cooperation between the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Texas Workforce Commission. Citizens of North Texas should be confident that I will continue to use the full weight of federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who would take advantage of a government program designed to benefit workers in distressed situations.”

Lonnie Oliver, Jr., a/k/a “Jay,” 39, and Albert Henson, Jr., 38, both of Cedar Hill, Texas, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud; five counts of mail fraud and aiding and abetting; one count of aggravated identity theft and aiding and abetting; and two counts of theft of public money and aiding and abetting. Latisha D. Slaughter, 32, of Grand Prairie, Texas; Theresa Sowels, 47, also of Grand Prairie; and her sister, Pamela Sowels, a/k/a “Pamela Sowole,” 47, of Arlington, Texas, are each charged with one count of theft of public money. Mernika D. Thomas, a/k/a “Mernika D. Wilson,” 29, of Fort Worth, Texas, is charged with one count of theft of mail matter.

All defendants, with the exception of Mernika D. Thomas, were arrested on November 14, 2007, on charges outlined in a federal criminal complaint filed earlier that week. All defendants,

1 with the exception of Lonnie Oliver, Jr., were released on personal recognizance bonds. Oliver remains in federal custody. Thomas will surrender to federal authorities and make her initial appearance tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney.

The indictment alleges that from April 2007 until mid-November 2007, Oliver and Albert Henson, Jr. conspired together to obtain unemployment insurance benefits from the Texas Workforce Commission by making false and fraudulent claims. They obtained names, social security numbers and dates of birth from individuals without the individuals’ knowledge and applied for unemployment insurance benefits using those identities. They provided the Texas Workforce Commission with names of bogus last employing units and addresses, as well as claimant mailing addresses, that they and their associates controlled. As a result, Oliver and Albert Henson, Jr., received debit cards containing unemployment benefits and used the debit cards to withdraw money at ATMs. They used the money and debit cards to pay for goods and services for themselves and their associates.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. The conspiracy to commit mail fraud count, and mail fraud and aiding and abetting counts, each carry a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The aggravated identity theft carries a statutory sentence of two years in prison that must be served consecutive to any prison time imposed for the underlying mail fraud count, and a $250,000 fine. Each theft of federal public money and aiding and abetting count carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The theft of mail matter count carries a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Restitution could be ordered.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tammy Reno.

next...»

[ Back to top ]