TAMPA, FL – Damond Alford, 31, of Tampa, is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after a jury found him guilty today of trafficking in unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. The conviction stems from a brazen scheme to defraud the unemployment insurance system, netting Alford over $300,000 in stolen funds.
According to evidence presented at trial, officers with the Tampa Police Department pulled Alford over twice in August 2020. Those routine traffic stops quickly turned up far more than expired tags. Searches of Alford’s vehicle revealed debit cards issued in the names of other people, alongside a meticulously kept ledger brimming with personal identifying information.
The Department of Labor investigation that followed painted a clear picture of systematic fraud. The PII detailed in Alford’s ledger had been used to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims across the country – at least 57 times. Debit cards loaded with the ill-gotten benefits were then mailed directly to Alford, who wasted no time draining the accounts.
Prosecutors detailed how Alford repeatedly withdrew thousands of dollars using the stolen debit cards. The total haul from this scheme exceeded $300,000, all fraudulently obtained from legitimate unemployment claims. The scale of the operation suggests a level of planning and coordination that goes beyond a simple opportunistic crime.
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the guilty verdict, stating that Alford now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the trafficking offense. Adding to that, a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence will be imposed for the aggravated identity theft charge. A sentencing date has not yet been set, but Alford can expect a substantial term behind bars.
The case was a collaborative effort between the Tampa Police Department and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich is prosecuting the case, aiming to hold Alford accountable for his calculated and costly criminal enterprise. This conviction sends a clear message: exploiting the unemployment system for personal gain will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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