INDIANAPOLIS — Two former correctional officers have been sentenced to three years in federal prison for their part in an international fraud scheme.
Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi, 34, and Lawrence Onyesonwu, 38, of Muncie, have each been sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and making false statements to a financial institution.
“It is simply reprehensible for correctional officers to exploit their positions to steal inmates’ identities and further the financial exploitation of scam victims,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
“Transnational fraud schemes have lasting repercussions for victims all over the country, and everyone who commits these crimes must be held accountable. The federal prison sentences imposed here should serve as a warning that the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to pursuing financial criminals and holding them accountable.”
According to court documents, between 2015 and their arrest date in January 2019, Chidiobi and Onyesonwu worked as Correctional Officers at the New Castle Correctional Facility. During that time, they stole at least five inmates’ personally identifiable information, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. They used the stolen identities of the victim inmates to open at least nine accounts at various Indiana banks using fraudulent passports.
The passports were reportedly issued by Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana. The passports included pictures of Chidiobi and Onyesonwu, but the names and other information of the inmates.
At least $331,282 was deposited into the defendants’ fraudulent bank accounts from at least 11 sources.
Investigators worked to identify and contact individuals who deposited funds into fraudulent accounts. Of the eleven depositors identified, each was a victim of a “romance scam” or other fraud scheme. A significant of the stolen money was transferred into Nigerian bank accounts.
“This sentence highlights the FBI’s resolve to investigate and prosecute those who exploit their authority for personal gain. The men and women of the FBI are committed to showing respect for the dignity of all those we protect including victims who are incarcerated,” FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton said.
“I am extremely proud of the work we do to protect the rights of all Americans.”
The pair was also sentenced to two years of supervised release and a payment of a $5,000 fine.
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