Rhode Island Man Gets 3 Years for Pandemic Theft

Dquintz Alexander, 36, of Rhode Island, will spend the next three years behind bars after pleading guilty to a brazen scheme to steal COVID-19 pandemic unemployment assistance. Alexander and his accomplice, Norman Higgs, raked in over half a million dollars in fraudulent payments by submitting claims using the stolen identities of unsuspecting individuals. The case underscores the relentless wave of fraud that plagued pandemic relief programs and the feds’ commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.

The scam centered around the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, created under the CARES Act in March 2020 to provide a safety net for those traditionally excluded from unemployment benefits – gig workers, the self-employed, and independent contractors. Alexander and Higgs exploited this program, filing bogus claims and diverting funds for their own personal gain. Federal prosecutors detailed how the pair systematically harvested stolen personal information to create a pipeline of fraudulent applications.

U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley sentenced Alexander to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Crucially, the judge also ordered Alexander to forfeit $318,281 – the portion of the stolen funds directly traceable to his control. He faced one count of wire fraud conspiracy, five counts of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. While banks and law enforcement managed to freeze or recover a significant portion of the stolen money, Alexander and Higgs still managed to pocket over $200,000.

The pair’s spending habits weren’t subtle. While specifics of their purchases haven’t been fully detailed, the $200,000-plus in illicit gains clearly fueled a lifestyle they couldn’t have afforded legitimately. Authorities are still working to trace all of the stolen funds and recover any remaining assets. Higgs, Alexander’s co-worker in this criminal enterprise, also faces sentencing, indicating a likely coordinated prosecution by federal prosecutors.

This case is part of a larger, nationwide crackdown on pandemic-related fraud led by the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force. Established in March 2021, the task force brings together numerous federal agencies to combat fraud related to government relief programs. Citizens who suspect fraud involving COVID-19 relief can report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at 866-720-5721 or through the NCDF web complaint form at disasterfraud.gov.

The Alexander sentencing serves as a stark warning: exploiting a national crisis for personal enrichment will not be tolerated. The feds are actively pursuing these cases, and the consequences – as Alexander is now experiencing – are severe. This isn’t just about the money; it’s about the erosion of trust in vital programs designed to help those genuinely in need. Similar cases are unfolding across the country, including recent sentences in Acton, Massachusetts, and involving a Rhode Island business owner facing charges related to money laundering and obstruction of justice.