Greenbelt, Maryland – A Temple Hills man has been sentenced to federal prison in connection with two cases involving drug-trafficking and firearms crimes, and unemployment insurance fraud.
Lawrence Nathanial Harris, 33, of Temple Hills, Maryland, received a 15-year prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and also for possessing a machine gun, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense.
Judge Deborah L. Boardman also ordered Harris to pay $952,225 of restitution.
The fraud and identity theft charges are connected to Harris submitting fraudulent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment insurance (UI) claims.
According to his plea agreement, beginning in at least January 2021, and continuing until about September 2023, Harris and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud the United States, State of Maryland, multiple financial institutions, and multiple individuals, including identity theft victims.
Harris participated in submitting UI claims resulting in losses exceeding $950,000, and he used debit cards issued in the names of aggravated identity theft victims to obtain UI fraud funds.
Additionally, Harris admitted that on November 16, 2022, while law enforcement executed a residential search warrant at his home, he threw a firearm and a bag of marijuana from his room.
The District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
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- Jeremy Mack, Human Trafficking and Drug Crimes, OH, 2023 · Ohio
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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