Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROMAN WILLIAMS, age 36, of Pensacola, Florida, was charged yesterday in a two-count Bill of Information with theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, WILLIAMS falsified federal student loan applications using stolen identities and then used the stolen student aid monies for his own personal use.
The maximum penalty for theft of government funds is ten years imprisonment, followed by up to 3 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person, and a $100 special assessment.
The maximum penalty for aggravated identity theft is a two-year consecutive term of imprisonment, followed by up to one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to defendant or twice the gross loss to any person, and a $100 special assessment.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
