Evergreen Reporter

Newton Ofioritse Jemide, a Nigerian national, was extradited from France to the United States on September 13, 2024, to face federal charges for wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies in a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal benefits. Jemide had his initial appearance on September 16, 2024, and is currently detained pending trial.

The extradition was announced by Philip Selden, First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Mark I. Tasky of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Colleen Lawlor of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Matthew R. Stohler of the U.S. Secret Service – Washington Field Office; and Andrew McKay, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

During the period covered by the indictment, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was responsible for providing emergency benefits and compensation for damage to victims affected by declared national emergency disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. Among other benefits, individuals in disaster-affected areas were eligible for “Critical Needs Assistance” (CNA) to purchase life-saving or life-sustaining materials. The assistance was paid to victims through various means, including pre-paid debit cards.

According to the two-count indictment, from 2016 through 2018 Jemide’s co-conspirators purchased hundreds of Green Dot debit cards registered with stolen personal information from identity theft victims across the country. In 2017, amidst Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and the California wildfires, co-conspirators allegedly applied online with FEMA for CNA using additional stolen identities. FEMA reportedly paid at least $8 million in amounts of $500 per claim to these Green Dot debit cards.

The indictment further alleges that co-conspirators filed false claims online for Social Security benefits, IRS tax refunds, and other government benefits using stolen identities. The falsely claimed benefits were deposited directly onto Green Dot debit cards. After funds were placed onto these cards, Jemide and his co-conspirators informed others about available funds and facilitated "cashing out" these funds in exchange for a commission. The funds were cashed out through bank deposits, ATM withdrawals or money order purchases.

To conceal their identities and fraudulent activities, co-conspirators enlisted others to make purchases and withdrawals with the cards using multiple store locations and bank accounts under different names or corporate entities. They converted funds into cash rather than depositing them into bank accounts and made money orders payable to controlled individuals or entities.

Jemide and his co-conspirators allegedly used encrypted messaging applications and email to communicate while using stolen federal funds for rental expenses, housing costs, vehicle purchases among other purposes.

If convicted, Jemide faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Actual sentences are typically less than maximum penalties as determined by a federal district court judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt; an individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Selden commended DHS OIG, SSA OIG, USSS TIGTA along with French authorities for their investigative work while thanking the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and U.S Marshal’s Service for securing Jemide's extradition. Assistant U.S Attorneys Elizabeth Wright and Darren Gardner are prosecuting this case.

For more information on Maryland U.S Attorney’s Office priorities visit www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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