Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
A Tulsa woman has been sentenced to four years in prison for aggravated identity theft after stealing the identity of a disabled Army veteran. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Monica J. Thompson, 40, to 48 months imprisonment and one year of supervised release. Thompson was also ordered to pay $29,440.39 in restitution.
“Taking advantage of a veteran that served our country will never be tolerated in the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Thompson not only engaged in identity theft but also took advantage of a vulnerable disabled veteran for her own benefit.”
Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s South-Central Field Office stated, “This sentence sends a clear message that those who would exploit veterans will be held accountable. The VA OIG is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to achieve justice in this case.”
Court documents show that Thompson conspired with her boyfriend to defraud an elderly disabled veteran by arranging a sham marriage and then submitting false applications to the Veterans Administration (VA) to control the victim's disability payments. Despite being entitled to disability payments, the victim was left living in an RV without food and later attempted suicide, leading to hospitalization and suicide watch.
While hospitalized, Thompson continued submitting fraudulent documents on behalf of the victim. The scheme came to light when a nurse overheard the victim providing banking information to Thompson and reported it.
Thompson will remain on bond until she voluntarily surrenders to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Greenough.
Individuals who suspect fraud involving older adults are encouraged to contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or seek additional resources for older adults in Oklahoma.
