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The Department of Justice is charging Leicester resident Destinee Snay, 19, with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, after co-conspirator William Cordor was charged with four counts of wire fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft in April for alleged fraud during the pandemic.
It is alleged that between June and October last year, Cordor and Snay conspired with others to file false and fraudulent claims for unemployment assistance in multiple states, including Nevada, using stolen identities and transfer the payments into prepaid debit card accounts they obtained and controlled.
Prosecutors said that on Aug. 18, 2020, Cordor was encountered by police in connection with a domestic violence incident and found in possession of nearly two dozen pre-paid debit cards in approximately 13 different names.
Additionally, evidence related to the purported scheme was allegedly found on Cordor’s computer and cell phone.
Cordor also allegedly engaged with others in a second wire fraud scheme that included the use of stolen identities to fraudulently apply for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster loans from the SBA and deposited the loans into the prepaid debit card accounts.
Officials noted that in May last year, Cordor admitted to federal agents that he had fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
If convicted of wire fraud, Snay and Cordor will face up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Aggravated identity theft calls for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, supervised release, and a fine.
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