Cedar Rapids, Iowa – A former crack dealer who swindled $1,902.62 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits after falsely claiming to have suffered damage in the 2020 derecho storm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been sentenced to 90 days in federal prison.
Melvin McKinney, 41, from Cedar Rapids, received the prison term after a June 15, 2023, guilty plea to one count of theft of government funds.
In a plea agreement, and at the sentencing hearing, McKinney admitted that he stole $1,902.62 in FEMA benefits, specifically personal property and rental assistance.
According to court records, McKinney spent the stolen funds at gas stations, restaurants, and Victoria’s Secret.
A derecho swept through the Northern District of Iowa in August 2020, causing an estimated $7.5 billion in damage.
FEMA declared Disaster No. 4557 for the State of Iowa on August 17, 2020, and McKinney received the FEMA funds after a false and fraudulent application for derecho benefits was filed in his name.
McKinney has a serious criminal history, including multiple crack cocaine conspiracy and distribution charges in 2006 and a conviction for domestic abuse in 2015.
Judge C.J. Williams sentenced McKinney to 90 days’ imprisonment, ordered him to make $1,902.62 in restitution to FEMA, and to serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.
Related Federal Cases
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- Ronald Dwaine Carnes, Identity Theft and Firearm Possession, Waterl… · Pennsylvania
- Juan Bautista-Rubio, Aggravated Identity Theft, IA, 2023 · Wisconsin
- Ronald Dwaine Carnes, Social Security Fraud and Identity Theft, Wat… · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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