Simon Watson, age 37, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was sentenced on March 10, 2016, in Macon, Georgia, by the Hon. Judge Leslie J. Abrams to serve a total of 51 months imprisonment for Theft of Public Funds, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Failure to Appear for Sentencing. Mr. Watson is also required to pay $3,088.30 in restitution to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
Mr. Watson entered a guilty plea to Theft of Public Funds and Aggravated Identity Theft on June 9, 2015. From Feb. 11, 2014, through March 2, 2014, Mr. Watson, a discharged Air Force serviceman, cashed and attempted to cash eleven forged checks at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (“AAFES") located at Robins Air Force Base. The checks cashed by Mr. Watson were from two business accounts he had incorporated, both of which were later dissolved. The bank accounts for both businesses had also been closed. Mr. Watson stole three Common Access Cards (“CAC") from the gym at Robins Air Force Base, which he used as identification to cash the fraudulent checks. Mr. Watson would print the name from the stolen CAC on the checks from his dissolved businesses and bring the checks, along with the stolen CAC, to the AAFES to cash. Mr. Watson successfully cashed $3,088.30 in checks at the AAFES. However, investigators located additional pre-printed checks in his vehicle. The parties agreed that the intended loss amount was $10,000 - $30,000.
Mr. Watson was scheduled to appear for sentencing on October 8, 2015 on the Theft of Public Funds and Aggravated Identity Theft charges. He was aware of this scheduled court appearance but did not appear as required. Mr. Watson was subsequently charged with Failure to Appear for Sentencing, and entered a plea of guilty to that charge on December 4, 2015.
Acting United States Attorney G.F. “Pete" Peterman stated; “Not only did Mr. Watson steal money that did not belong to him but he also betrayed the trust of his fellow servicemen by stealing their identities to further his criminal enterprise. The agents did an outstanding job which resulted in this significant sentence of imprisonment."
The case was investigated by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Beth Howard prosecuted the case on behalf of the Government.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
