A federal grand jury has indicted Brendyn Andrew, a 33-year-old resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The charges against him include aggravated identity theft, SNAP benefits fraud, social security number misuse, and theft of government property. Andrew is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today at 4:30 p.m. in the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms.
The indictment was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the USDA OIG Northeast Region. In Maryland, SNAP benefits are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and managed through the Maryland Department of Human Services – Family Investment Administration.
According to the indictment details, Andrew allegedly used social security numbers belonging to two individuals to apply for and use SNAP benefits from February to June 2021.
If convicted on these charges, Andrew faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft and up to ten years for theft of government property. Federal crime sentences are generally less than maximum penalties as determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. It is important to note that an indictment is not an indication of guilt; those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
U.S. Attorney Hayes expressed appreciation for the investigative efforts by the United States Department of Agriculture and acknowledged assistance from the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kertisha Dixon is prosecuting this case.
For further information about the activities and resources provided by the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, visit their website at www.justice.gov/usao-md or their community outreach page at https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
