Arkansas Man Charged with SSN Misuse, Making False Statements to SSA

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Arkansas:

LITTLE ROCK – Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, today announced the unsealing of a federal complaint charging a Greenbrier, Ark., man with multiple counts related to an identity theft that had been continuously occurring for more than 20 years. On April 9, 2015, federal agents with the Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with assistance from the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office, arrested William Marshall, 51, at his home in Greenbrier. Upon arrest, agents executed a federal search warrant on Marshall’s residence and vehicle.

Later that day Marshall appeared for arraignment in front of Federal Magistrate Judge Beth Deere. On April 10, 2015, Marshall was released on bond. The arrest stemmed from a federal complaint signed by Judge Deere that charged Marshall with aggravated identity theft, misrepresentation of a Social Security number, and providing a false statement to a federal agency.

“The extent of damage to the true victim’s identity is beyond measure,” Thyer said. “Thanks to security measures that the Social Security Administration has in place while filing for disability benefits, Marshall’s scheme was finally identified and stopped. These types of crimes continue to plague not only businesses and government entities, but individuals as well. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vehemently seek justice for those who are victimized by these crimes.”

The investigation began when Marshall allegedly fraudulently applied for Social Security benefits under a false identity earlier this year at the Conway, Ark., Social Security office. The subsequent investigation revealed that Marshall has been living under the false identity of the true victim for more than 20 years. The investigation also revealed that Marshall moved back to Arkansas in 1992, where he has lived as a fugitive from California.

This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General—Social Security Administration with the assistance of the Arkansas Department of Insurance—Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.

The charges of misrepresentation of a Social Security number and providing a false statement to a federal agency each carry a statutory penalty of not more than five years’ imprisonment, not more than a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release. Aggravated identity theft has a maximum statutory penalty of two years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed, not more than a $250,000 fine, and not more than one year of supervised release.

The criminal complaint contains only allegations. A federal Grand Jury will decide whether to indict on these charges. Marshall is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

LITTLE ROCK – Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, today announced the unsealing of a federal complaint charging a Greenbrier, Ark., man with multiple counts related to an identity theft that had been continuously occurring for more than 20 years. On April 9, 2015, federal agents with the Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with assistance from the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office, arrested William Marshall, 51, at his home in Greenbrier. Upon arrest, agents executed a federal search warrant on Marshall’s residence and vehicle.

Later that day Marshall appeared for arraignment in front of Federal Magistrate Judge Beth Deere. On April 10, 2015, Marshall was released on bond. The arrest stemmed from a federal complaint signed by Judge Deere that charged Marshall with aggravated identity theft, misrepresentation of a Social Security number, and providing a false statement to a federal agency.

“The extent of damage to the true victim’s identity is beyond measure,” Thyer said. “Thanks to security measures that the Social Security Administration has in place while filing for disability benefits, Marshall’s scheme was finally identified and stopped. These types of crimes continue to plague not only businesses and government entities, but individuals as well. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vehemently seek justice for those who are victimized by these crimes.”

The investigation began when Marshall allegedly fraudulently applied for Social Security benefits under a false identity earlier this year at the Conway, Ark., Social Security office. The subsequent investigation revealed that Marshall has been living under the false identity of the true victim for more than 20 years. The investigation also revealed that Marshall moved back to Arkansas in 1992, where he has lived as a fugitive from California.

This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General—Social Security Administration with the assistance of the Arkansas Department of Insurance—Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.

The charges of misrepresentation of a Social Security number and providing a false statement to a federal agency each carry a statutory penalty of not more than five years’ imprisonment, not more than a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release. Aggravated identity theft has a maximum statutory penalty of two years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed, not more than a $250,000 fine, and not more than one year of supervised release.

The criminal complaint contains only allegations. A federal Grand Jury will decide whether to indict on these charges. Marshall is presumed innocent until proven guilty.