LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Tallahassee, Florida, man has pleaded guilty to swindling at least $385,000 in unemployment benefits from unsuspecting victims.
Joseph Holmes Jr., 22, conspired with others to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Holmes and co-defendant Emelio Rochester were caught during a traffic stop on September 18, 2020, with 17 EDD debit cards, all in different names, worth at least $385,000 in approved unemployment benefits.
The debit cards were discovered alongside $89,710 in cash, five cellphones, three laptop computers, and a tablet in the car. At least $192,234 was withdrawn using the cards.
Holmes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess counterfeit and unauthorized access devices and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2021.
Holmes faces a total statutory maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Quentin Heiden of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Los Angeles Region made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the DOL-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang is prosecuting the case.
The Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in May to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. If you have information about COVID-19-related fraud, call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or visit their web complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Related Federal Cases
- Live Nation, Antitrust Lawsuit, New York NY, 2024 · Arizona
- Timothy G. Fisher Guilty in $179M Sham Loan Scheme · California
- Tampa Meth Kingpin Sentenced to Decade Behind Bars · Nevada
- Murder for Drugs: 5 Charged in Border Agent’s Slaying · Arizona
- Border Patrol Agent Murder Suspect Extradited from Mexico · Arizona
Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News