France-based Nigerian extradited to US, risks 30-year jail term
The United States of America has disclosed that an extradited Nigerian, Newton Ofioritse Jemide, has pleaded guilty to his role in a $6m fraud and now risks 30 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
PUNCH Metro gathered in a statement by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday that 47-year-old Jemide was extradited from France after he was found culpable of fraudulently obtaining federal grants in disregard for vulnerable US citizens.
The statement noted that Jemide alongside some conspirators stole the identities of US citizens to open Green Dot accounts which were used to request federal benefits meant for victims of wildfires between 2016 and 2017.
It read, “According to the guilty plea, in 2016 and 2017, Jemide and others from Nigeria directed co-conspirators living in the United States to purchase hundreds of Green Dot Debit Cards. Co-conspirators living in Nigeria then registered the cards with Green Dot using stolen personal information from identity theft victims around the United States.
“In 2017, following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the California wildfires, Jemide, and other co-conspirators from Nigeria, used stolen personal information to apply online for FEMA and CNA benefits.
“FEMA dispersed $500 per claim on the Green Dot Debit Cards that co-conspirators purchased for a total of at least $8m.”
It added that the suspect alongside others also filed for social benefits using stolen identities.
The statement also noted that after the funds were credited to the cards, the suspect ordered his co-conspirators to withdraw the money at a certain per cent.
It continued, “As a result of fraudulent submissions, FEMA and the other federal agencies deposited benefits onto the Green Dot Debit Cards.
The funds were deposited on the debit cards using multiple stolen identities, including identities different from the identities used to register the cards.
“Jemide and select co-conspirators informed other co-conspirators when the fraudulent funds became available on the debit cards and gave them information to cash out the funds from the cards in exchange for a commission.
“Additionally, the co-conspirators took steps to conceal their identities by enlisting others to make purchases and withdrawals; utilising multiple store and bank locations and methods of withdrawal; and making money orders payable to other individuals and/or corporate entities.”
The US DoJ noted that Jemide, whose sentencing is scheduled for July 1, now risks a 30-year jail term if convicted.
“Jemide faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
“A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is currently scheduled for July 1, 2025, at 9:30 am, before U.S. District Court Judge Deborah K. Chasanow,” the statement concluded.
