John Doe, Identity Theft Scheme, Alabama 2025

BOSTON – In a coordinated federal crackdown, nine individuals have been charged with exploiting stolen identities to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded programs.

The scheme, which targeted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), MassHealth and Social Security benefits, has uncovered nearly $9 million in benefit fraud since December 2025.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama, the defendants used stolen identities to apply for and receive benefits, with some cases involving family members.

The following individuals have been charged:

• John Doe, 32, of Birmingham, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Jane Smith, 41, of Huntsville, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Michael Johnson, 45, of Mobile, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Emily Davis, 28, of Montgomery, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• David Lee, 38, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Rebecca Hall, 42, of Dothan, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Kevin White, 35, of Decatur, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Lauren Brown, 29, of Gadsden, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• James Martin, 50, of Florence, Alabama, faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The scheme is believed to have started in December 2025 and continued until the arrests were made. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.

The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.