A federal grand jury in Wichita, Kansas, indicted Kylie Charles, a 35-year-old resident of Wichita, on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that Charles illegally collected more than $100,000 through fraudulent activities targeting a federal pandemic relief program designed for individuals who lost their livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Court documents state that Charles is accused of 17 counts each of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The fraudulent activities reportedly took place between May 2020 and August 2021, during which Charles allegedly used the identities of acquaintances without their knowledge to file false claims for unemployment benefits across multiple states under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the case's investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gordon is overseeing the prosecution.
In other indictments, Chad M. Abildgaard, 33, of Wichita, faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This case is under investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch.
Nelson Agustin Gonzalez-Diaz, 74, faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating this case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler handling the prosecution.
Manuel Jacquez Ibarra, 45, has been indicted for unlawful reentry after deportation. Homeland Security Investigations is investigating, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.
Similarly, David Yitzhak Espinoza, 31, faces charges of unlawful reentry after deportation, with Homeland Security Investigations leading the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler overseeing the prosecution.
It is important to remember that an indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
