A federal grand jury in Wichita has indicted a Kansas woman for fraudulently acquiring over $100,000 by exploiting a federal program intended to aid individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Court documents reveal that Kylie Charles, 35, from Wichita, faces charges on 17 counts of wire fraud and 17 counts of aggravated identity theft.
The scheme allegedly involved the misuse of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which extended unemployment benefits to various individuals, including business owners and independent contractors, who wouldn't typically qualify. The indictment claims that between May 2020 and August 2021, Charles used stolen identities of acquaintances to file fraudulent unemployment claims across several states under this act without their knowledge.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is handling the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon tasked with prosecuting the case.
The grand jury also returned several other indictments. Chad M. Abildgaard, 33, from Wichita, was charged with three counts related to drug trafficking and firearm possession. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is conducting the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is the prosecutor.
In a separate case, Nelson Agustin Gonzalez-Diaz, 74, was indicted on two counts concerning illegal firearm possession. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler prosecuting.
Additionally, Manuel Jacquez Ibarra, 45, and David Yitzhak Espinoza, 31, were both indicted for unlawful reentry after deportation. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is leading these investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi prosecuting Ibarra's case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler handling Espinoza's case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.