Edwin Acevedo, COVID Relief Fund Fraud, Massachusetts 2023

Acton Man Pleads Guilty to Using Stolen Identities to Obtain COVID Relief Funds

BOSTON, MA - Edwin Acevedo, a 36-year-old man from Acton, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to using stolen identities to obtain COVID-19 relief funds. Acevedo was arrested and charged in August 2021, along with co-conspirator Hector Garcia.

According to the charging documents, Acevedo's co-conspirators used stolen identity information of United States citizens to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Garcia allegedly used stolen identity information to open a fraudulent bank account, which was linked to other fraudulent bank accounts set up to receive the SBA funds.

Acevedo coordinated with his co-conspirators to receive debit cards associated with the fraudulent bank accounts, which were used to purchase iPhones. The iPhones were then resold for cash. A portion of the funds was also wired to co-conspirators in the Dominican Republic.

It is alleged that over $452,000 in SBA funds were fraudulently obtained in connection with the scheme. Approximately $250,000 of this money was used to purchase iPhones in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Acevedo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. He faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for May 16, 2023. The charges against Garcia are still pending.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, made the announcement. Assistance was also provided by various law enforcement agencies.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/acton-man-pleads-guilty-using-stolen-identities-obtain-covid-relief-funds