A Florida man, Richard Eugene Findley, was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in federal prison for theft of government money and aggravated identity theft, according to a news release from the Office of the Inspector General. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge John Antoon II on February 18, 2025.
Findley, 63, had pleaded guilty on April 30, 2024, to using the stolen identity of an individual identified as E.G. to unlawfully obtain government benefits. Court documents revealed that Findley acquired E.G.’s identification card, Social Security card, and birth certificate in the 1990s, and without permission, used the identity to fraudulently secure various benefits, including a Florida driver’s license, Social Security benefits, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Along with his sentence, Findley was ordered to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and the victim of the identity theft. The federal charges underscore the severity of using stolen identities to exploit government programs for personal gain.
