DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Detroit man convicted of stealing the identities of thousands of people as part of a fraudulent, money-making scheme has been sentenced to 2 to 20 years in prison.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that 47-year-old Dewan Williams learned his punishment on Feb. 17, appearing in the 3rd Circuit Court after pleading guilty to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, and one count of Identity Theft.
According to investigators, Williams used personal information stolen from approximately 7,000 people to defraud the State and financially benefit himself.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan State Police conducted a joint investigation, determining that Williams was conducting a "sophisticated scheme" where he used fraudulently approved Medicaid benefits to qualify for and receive free government cell phones. After receiving the phones, Williams would activate them and sell them for profit.
The scheme came to light, the AG says, after multiple victims reported that someone had applied for benefits in their name.
Officials said around 150 new and pre-packaged Safelink Wireless phones were discovered in Williams’ home, along with personal information stolen from the approximately 7,000 victims.
The whole thing cost the State of Michigan around $11 million, Nessel said. After the accounts were determined to be fraudulent, however, they were shut down and the State was able to recoup the money.
“The threat of identity theft is real, and I urge Michigan residents to educate and protect themselves against potential victimization,” said Nessel, in a statement. “My Michigan Identity Theft Support team, known as MITS, stands ready to assist victims of identity theft in recovering from the impact of this crime and my team of prosecutors will continue to work to hold perpetrators accountable.”
Officials say it's important to make sure your sensitive information is secure — including on paper, online, on mobile devices, or stored on a computer.
“Identity theft is on the rise in Michigan,” said MDHHS Inspector General Alan Kimichik. “The impact of the work of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) sends a clear message to those who intend to steal taxpayer-funded resources that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The OIG is committed to protecting the integrity of public assistance programs and ensuring the appropriate use of available public resources.
Along with the prison time, the judge also ordered that Williams pay restitution. He is required to turn himself in on June 29.
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