A Brooklyn-based gang was arrested on Thursday for their alleged roles in obtaining unemployment benefits in a fraud scheme.
Brooklyn residents Kennith Desir, 20; Stephan Dorminvil, 21; Kai Heyward, 22; Keith James, 20; Oneal Marks, 20; Jahriah Olivierre, 22; Christopher Jean Pierre, 21; Roleeke Smith, 20; and Christopher Topey, 21, as well as California resident Romean Brown, 23, and Florida resident Tyrek Clarke, 21, were charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to obtain millions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits funded, in whole or...
“As alleged, the defendants conspired to steal millions of dollars in pandemicrelated unemployment assistance and then brazenly flaunted the proceeds of their crimes on social media,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “These government programs are designed to provide financial assistance to those who are most in need during an unprecedented pandemic.