An Atmore resident, Tyderian Deantwyne Sims, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison following convictions for fraud and illegal possession of a machinegun. The sentencing took place in Mobile, Alabama.
Court documents reveal that Sims, aged 25, engaged in multiple fraudulent activities between 2021 and 2023. In March 2021, he secured federal pandemic unemployment compensation benefits through false claims submitted to the Alabama Department of Labor. By May of the same year, Sims had also acquired a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan by falsely claiming ownership of a lawncare business via a Schedule C tax form. His fraudulent actions continued into July 2023 with transactions involving counterfeit checks stolen from U.S. mail.
Sims was apprehended by Atmore police in June 2024 on charges related to these frauds. During his arrest, authorities discovered an illegally modified .40 caliber Glock pistol equipped with a "Glock switch" conversion device in his vehicle. Sims confessed to purchasing the illegal firearm through Instagram and evidence from his cell phone suggested he attempted to sell similar devices.
Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock imposed a three-year supervised release term following Sims's prison sentence. This period will include mental health treatment and credit restrictions for Sims. Although no fine was levied, Judge Beaverstock ordered restitution payments totaling $32,229.59 along with $400 in special assessments.
The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama.
The investigation involved collaboration between the United States Postal Investigation Service, the Alabama Department of Labor Internal Security Division, and the Atmore Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case for the government.