A resident of Las Vegas received a sentence of three and a half years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentencing, handed down by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva, relates to a scheme defrauding the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and involves identity theft amounting to at least $385,000 in unemployment benefits.
Court documents reveal that between August 15 and September 18, 2020, Emelio Vladimir Rochester, age 28, and co-defendant Joseph Holmes Jr. conspired to acquire 17 EDD debit cards using identities stolen from victims. They submitted fraudulent unemployment claims and utilized the loaded debit cards for cash withdrawals across Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, and Garden Grove, California.
On September 18, 2020, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Rochester's vehicle, uncovering 17 EDD debit cards, $89,710 in cash, five phones, three laptops, and a tablet. The recovered debit cards were issued to varied names. "At least $385,000 in unemployment benefits were approved for the claims associated with the debit cards, and at least $192,234.29 was withdrawn from the accounts," as reported.
"Emelio Rochester filed fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims in the names of identity theft victims to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in UI benefits to which he was not entitled. He enriched himself at the expense of a program intended to assist American workers struggling during an unprecedented pandemic," said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG).
Rochester admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to possess counterfeit and unauthorized access devices along with aggravated identity theft. In addition to prison, he faces a restitution order totaling $192,234.
Meanwhile, co-defendant Holmes Jr. was sentenced to 54 months in prison for similar charges. Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Heiden made the announcement.
The DOL-OIG led the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case. The public is encouraged to report suspected fraud or violations concerning DOL programs to the OIG via the online complaint form or by calling 1-800-347-3756.