Richard Warren Ralston, 69, of Mesa, Arizona, was arrested following a 12-count federal indictment alleging he fraudulently collected Social Security benefits for over a decade.
Authorities say Ralston assumed the identity of a man who died in 1965 and, beginning in 2011 while living in Auburn, California, used that identity to apply for retirement benefits through the Social Security Administration. He allegedly continued using the deceased man’s identity for years, resulting in a reported loss of $114,285.
Ralston faces charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and Social Security fraud. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General led the investigation, and Nicole Moody is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Ralston could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Officials emphasize that these are allegations and that Ralston is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
