(KTNV) — Three men have been sentenced to federal prison for stealing more than half a million dollars in unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana said the three men stole $520,910 in unemployment benefits from state and federal programs targeting victims in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Kamaldeen Karaole, 24, of Indianapolis; Johnson Omodusonu, 24, of Indianapolis; and Stephen Olamigoke, 23, of Nigeria, each received prison sentences ranging from two to four years followed by two years of supervised release. All three must pay $520,910 in restitution.
RELATED | Nevada Secretary of State warns of fraudsters using AI to impersonate officials and loved ones
Court documents show that between August and October 2020, the men stole 168 unemployment insurance debit cards and PIN numbers issued by the states of California, Arizona and Nevada. They obtained the cards from parties outside the United States who had stolen personal information used to file unemployment claims.
"Stealing unemployment benefits meant to help people survive during one of the worst crises in modern history is both heartless and criminal," said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
"These defendants exploited a system designed to support those in genuine need, and now they are being held accountable for their greed thanks to the diligent work of our federal partners and prosecutor," Wheeler said.
Prosecutors said 98 of the cards were used to withdraw cash from ATMs in Indiana. In total, 529 withdrawals were completed, resulting in hundreds of thousands of stolen benefits.
RELATED | Nevada officials warn of scammers targeting seniors for Social Security funds
Karaole received the longest sentence at four years and three months in prison for charges of aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and access device fraud.
Olamigoke was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud. Prosecutors said he will be deported from the United States once his sentence is complete.
Omodusonu received a two-year prison sentence for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and access device fraud.
-
Vigil held to remember teen killed
The teen was shot and killed during a First Friday event in the arts district.
Family holds vigil for Las Vegas 15-year-old killed in First Friday shooting
Family and friends gathered Monday night in downtown Las Vegas to remember a teenager who was killed during a shooting at October's First Friday event.
Las Vegas police investigate fatal shooting in parking lot of a business
One person died after being shot in a vehicle while in the parking lot of a business Sunday evening, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Autopsy reveals cause of death for man accused of killing wife on Angels Landing
David Vander Meer, 48, was found dead in the Clark County Detention Center shortly after his arrest for the 2006 death of his then-wife Bernadette. An autopsy has since revealed how he died.
