A brother and sister have been convicted by a federal jury of multiple felony counts for using false identities to steal almost $300,000 in unemployment funds and other federal benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.
Two other family members were also convicted of fraud for their part in the scheme to unlawfully obtain unemployment compensation funds.
Frederick Vernon Williams, 35, his sister Jacqueline Louisa Gentle, 27, his wife, Denise Allison Williams, 36, and his other sister, Carolyn Shelmadine Willis-Casey, 40, all of Belize, were convicted on Friday, Jan. 15. The trial lasted for 10 days and was presided over by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan.
Frederick Williams and Jacqueline Gentle were convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, mail fraud, theft of government money, making a false statement in application for a passport, and making false citizenship claims. Gentle was also convicted of misuse of a U.S. passport and misuse of a social security number. Denise Williams and Carolyn Willis-Casey were each convicted of one count of mail fraud.
Frederick Williams faces up to 290 years in prison, plus two to four years consecutive for the two aggravated identity theft counts, and not more than $4.75 million in fines. Gentle faces up to 83 years in prison, plus two years consecutive for the aggravated identity theft count, and not more than $2 million in fines. Denise Williams and Willis-Casey face up to 20 years in prison and not more than $250,000 in fines.
They are scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
