A Cape Girardeau resident has admitted to committing identity theft and fraudulently obtaining pandemic-related loans, tax refunds, and state benefits. Myles Benjamin Depew, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to three counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, Depew used the identities of multiple individuals to secure Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, he applied for and received an $11,000 EIDL loan using one person’s name. The following month, he used another individual’s identity to obtain a $14,000 loan. Depew also opened a checking account at a West Virginia-based bank using a third person’s information.
Depew then prepared fraudulent Missouri state tax returns that resulted in refund deposits into this account: $2,060 in February 2022 and $8,668.49 in April 2023.
Agents from the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration interviewed Depew about his activities. During questioning, "he said he stole the identities of 10 to 15 people and used those to fraudulently apply for about $50,000 in benefits from the state of Missouri." He estimated spending approximately "$40,000 on gambling at the casino, $5,000 on food and another $5,000 on methamphetamine." Depew had access to personal information such as names, birthdates and Social Security numbers through his work as a tax preparer.
Sentencing is set for May 26. Each wire fraud charge carries a potential penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million or both. Aggravated identity theft includes a mandatory two-year prison term consecutive to other sentences and a fine that can reach $250,000.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis is prosecuting.
