by: Deja Studdard
Two former correctional officers have been sentenced to three years in federal prison for their involvement in an international fraud scheme.
Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi, 34, and Lawrence Onyesonwu, 38, both from Muncie, received their sentences after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and making false statements to a financial institution.
“It is simply reprehensible for correctional officers to exploit their positions to steal inmates’ identities and further the financial exploitation of scam victims,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Transnational fraud schemes have lasting repercussions for victims all over the country, and everyone who commits these crimes must be held accountable. The federal prison sentences imposed here should serve as a warning that the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to pursuing financial criminals and holding them accountable.”
Court documents reveal that between 2015 and their arrest in January 2019, Chidiobi and Onyesonwu, while employed at the New Castle Correctional Facility, stole personally identifiable information from at least five inmates. This included names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. They used this stolen information to open at least nine bank accounts across Indiana, using fraudulent passports issued by Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana. These passports contained the officers’ photos but bore the names and details of the inmates.
In total, approximately $331,282 was deposited into the defendants’ fraudulent accounts from at least 11 sources. Investigators identified and contacted individuals who had deposited funds, all of whom were victims of “romance scams” or other fraudulent schemes. A significant portion of the stolen money was then transferred to Nigerian bank accounts.
“This sentence highlights the FBI’s resolve to investigate and prosecute those who exploit their authority for personal gain,” stated Herbert J. Stapleton, FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge. “The men and women of the FBI are committed to showing respect for the dignity of all those we protect, including victims who are incarcerated.”
In addition to their prison sentences, Chidiobi and Onyesonwu were each given two years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
