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Identity Thief Sentenced in Florida
Orlando, FL – Michael Barrington Douglas, a 52-year-old Winter Garden man, has been sentenced to 2 years and 1 day in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and false representation of a Social Security number.
According to the US Department of Justice, Douglas entered a guilty plea on January 17, 2024. As part of his sentence, he must also pay restitution to the Florida Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Douglas used the identity of J.M., a U.S. citizen, to obtain a Florida driver license in 2021 and to apply for and obtain employment at a hotel in Lake Buena Vista from 2012 to 2023. He also used J.M.’s identity to apply for and receive unemployment insurance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits.
In addition to his prison sentence, Douglas must serve one year of supervised release. He must also pay restitution to the Florida Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro and Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.
Douglas was born in Jamaica and entered the United States on an immigrant visa in 1991. In 1999, an immigration judge ordered Douglas removed from the United States after he was convicted of felony firearm and drug offenses. However, Douglas never departed the United States and assumed the identity of J.M.
As a result of his actions, Douglas was able to obtain a Florida driver license, employment, unemployment insurance, and other benefits using J.M.’s identity. However, his scheme was eventually uncovered by investigators who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice.
The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to protecting the public from individuals who engage in identity theft and other forms of white-collar crime. This case serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to bring perpetrators to justice and to hold them accountable for their crimes.
Michael Barrington Douglas, 52, of Winter Garden, FL, was sentenced to 2 years and 1 day in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and false representation of a Social Security number.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|White Collar Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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