Wayne Bowen, Aggravated Identity Theft, Florida 2022

Identity Thief Sentenced to Federal Prison in Jacksonville, Florida

A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing his twin brother’s identity to obtain veterans benefits. Wayne Bowen, 64, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft.

The U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan also ordered Bowen to reimburse various federal agencies a total of $63,773 for government benefits that he had received in connection with his identity theft scheme. Bowen had pleaded guilty on January 20, 2022.

According to court documents, in 2014, Bowen used the name, Social Security card, and military discharge papers of his estranged twin brother to apply for federally subsidized housing benefits. The specific subsidy – intended for indigent military veterans – was funded under a joint program administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Unlike his twin, Bowen is not a military veteran. When interviewed by federal agents, Bowen admitted that he had been using his twin brother’s identity for years. He had obtained a Florida identification card using his twin’s name and had been arrested and convicted of felony offenses under his twin’s identity.

Although Bowen initially told the agents that he, like his twin, had served and been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Bowen eventually relented and admitted that those were lies. Due to Bowen’s fraudulent use of his twin’s identity, the VA provided him with $32,434 in medical services, HUD provided him with $18,905 in housing subsidies, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded $12,434 in nutritional benefits for him.

Bowen’s twin has confirmed that he did not apply for any of these benefits and that he never gave Bowen permission to use his name. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General.

It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting one’s identity and the severe consequences of identity theft.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Wayne Bowen

Criminal Charges: Aggravated Identity Theft

City and State: Jacksonville, Florida

Exact Date: January 20, 2022

Sentence or Outcome: Two years in federal prison and ordered to reimburse $63,773 to various federal agencies

Dollar Amounts: $63,773, $32,434, $18,905, $12,434

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