Shelbra Long, a 58-year-old resident of Edinburg, Texas, has pled guilty to charges of conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Acting Special Agent in Charge Isabel Douroupis from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General (ED OIG) – Eastern Regional Office.
Long admitted her involvement in a fraudulent scheme spanning over ten years. The scheme involved applying for admission and financial aid at online colleges using stolen identities. Once the Department of Education disbursed the financial aid to these institutions, Long and her accomplices would withdraw the purported students from enrollment. Consequently, schools refunded unused financial aid balances to bank accounts controlled by the conspirators. The Department awarded $466,430 in aid through this scheme, with $211,820 being disbursed.
Long is facing up to 20 years in prison along with a potential fine of up to $250,000 and a supervised release term of up to three years when sentenced on June 26, 2025. She has agreed to pay restitution amounting to $211,820 to the Department of Education and will forfeit an additional $52,304. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on relevant statutes violated by Long as well as U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The case was investigated by ED OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner.
