INDIANAPOLIS — Two former correctional officers have been sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and making false statements to a financial institution.
Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi, 34, of Columbus, Ohio, and Lawrence Onyesonwu, 38, of Muncie, Indiana, worked as correctional officers at the New Castle Correctional Facility, a privately managed prison within the Indiana Department of Corrections, from 2015 to January 2019.
During that time, the DOJ said Chidiobi and Onyesonwu stole at least five inmates’ names, dates of birth and social security numbers.
The DOJ said the two men used the stolen identities of the inmates to open at least nine accounts at various Indiana banks using fraudulent passports. The fraudulent passports were issued by Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana. Chidiobi and Onyesonwu each used their own photos, but they used the names and other information of the inmates.
Those accounts were then used to receive the money from broader fraud schemes. A total of at least $331,282 was deposited into the bank accounts from at least 11 sources.
"Investigators worked to identify and contact individuals who deposited funds into fraudulent accounts," reads the press release from the DOJ. "Of the 11 depositors able to be identified, each was themselves the victim of a 'romance scam' or other fraud scheme. Further investigation revealed that the defendants also received deposits of apparent fraud proceeds into their own personal bank accounts."
The DOJ said most of the $331,282 was withdrawn as cash, and a "large portion" was transferred into Nigerian bank accounts.
Chidiobi and Onyesonwu were each ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
“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.”
“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 FBI investigated this case.
