U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk has sentenced Daryl Jones Jr., 46, to 65 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme that fraudulently obtained COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits and involved identity theft. The court also ordered Jones to pay restitution amounting to $116,587.
Jones illegally acquired $84,592 in unemployment benefits from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania between June 22, 2020, and July 15, 2020. He received these funds on debit cards issued under false pretenses to himself and four others. Additional debit cards were created using stolen identities; however, no benefits were deposited onto these cards.
Cheryl Johnson, who supervised various businesses in the St. Louis area and was Jones's girlfriend, provided some of the personal information used to establish fraudulent accounts.
On June 3, 2021, Jones attempted to secure a vehicle loan worth $31,700 using counterfeit pay stubs linked to a fictitious business associated with Johnson. Both submitted fake insurance identification documents to finalize the vehicle's delivery.
The crimes took place at James Whitiker’s residence in St. Louis County. A court-approved search conducted on June 25, 2021, uncovered a notebook containing sensitive personal data of approximately 35 individuals along with other incriminating evidence such as nine Pennsylvania unemployment benefit debit cards and several stolen credit and debit cards.
Ruth Mendonça from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated: “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use... Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims.”
In February, Jones pleaded guilty to three felonies: conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud.
Johnson pleaded guilty on February 20th to similar charges and was sentenced on May 22nd to serve 55 months in prison alongside an order for restitution totaling $116,587. Whitiker admitted guilt in July concerning a conspiracy charge; he received a three-year prison sentence in October after acknowledging his role involving two debit cards during the conspiracy while allowing his home for fraudulent activities by Jones and Johnson.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service along with the U.S Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S Attorney Tracy Berry prosecuted this case.
