Three Silver Spring residents face federal charges in connection with unemployment insurance fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland.
Altogether, 11 Maryland and California residents were charged in a scheme in which more than 200 fraudulent claims were submitted for a total of $1.6 million, according to the press release. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identify theft.
Charged on Nov. 30 were Silver Spring residents Nadine Mahoro Mwamikazi, 25; Trez Anthony Hendy, 29, who is also known as Torch; and Tayonna Sonora Johnson, 28.
According to the news release, between February 2020 and October 2021, the 11 defendants conspired to impersonate victims and submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance benefits. They allegedly obtained birthdates, social security numbers and other personal identifying information.
Their applications allegedly also contained false information about availability for work.
Due to their claims, debit cards were loaded and mailed out to the addresses provided that allegedly were monitored by the defendants.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and for each count of wire fraud in which they are charged; and a mandatory two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft.
— US Attorney Maryland (@USAO_MD) December 5, 2022
