Ryan E. Dales, Wire Fraud, Identity Theft, and Drug-Related Crimes, Maryland 2023

Baltimore Man Charged with Wire Fraud, Identity Theft, and Drug-Related Crimes

A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment yesterday against Ryan E. Dales, age 34, of Baltimore, Maryland, that adds possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking activity, a fraud scheme, and aggravated identity theft to the original charges of illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and with wire fraud, relating to the submission of fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The superseding indictment alleges that beginning in December 2020 and continuing through about September 2021, Dales submitted applications for unemployment insurance benefits that contained false statements, misrepresentations, and omissions related to his employment, his eligibility to receive UI benefits, and his purported businesses, including their existence, operation, and profits.

According to the superseding indictment, Dales illegally possessed a firearm on January 20, 2023. Also on January 20, 2023, Dales allegedly possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and the superseding indictment alleges that Dales possessed a second firearm—a Polymer 80 9mm firearm without a serial number, commonly known as a “ghost gun”—in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

The superseding indictment also alleges that from August 2022 until September 2022, Dales defrauded business and financial institutions, using the personal identifying information of identity theft victims, to obtain merchandise for his personal benefit and for the benefit of his associates. Specifically, as detailed in the superseding indictment, Dales obtained forged and counterfeit South Carolina driver’s licenses, each bearing Dales’ photograph, but the name and identifying information of three identity theft victims.

Defendant: Ryan E. Dales, 34, of Baltimore, Maryland.

Criminal Charges: Wire fraud, identity theft, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking activity, a fraud scheme, aggravated identity theft, and illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

City and State: Baltimore, Maryland.

Exact Date: January 20, 2023.

Sentence or Outcome: Dales faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm; a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and up to life in federal prison for the fraud scheme and aggravated identity theft.

Dollar Amounts: $44,137.70, the total amount spent on merchandise for Dales’ personal benefit and for the benefit of his associates.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/superseding-indictment-charges-maryland-man-wire-fraud-identity-theft-and-drug-related