Tampa, FL – A federal jury has convicted Maria Morales, a 58-year-old resident of Wesley Chapel, of trafficking in unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. This verdict, announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, resulted from charges related to the theft of nearly $2 million in unemployment insurance benefits and the identity theft of over 100 individuals.
Morales was found guilty after a trial that shed light on her fraudulent activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The indictment, issued on September 4, 2024, revealed that Morales had received more than 100 debit cards issued by the state of Nevada, intended for unemployment insurance benefits. These cards were fraudulently created using the personal information of unsuspecting individuals nationwide. Each card, mailed to Morales, was marked with the names of the victims.
Upon receipt, Morales traveled across various ATMs in the Middle District of Florida to withdraw substantial amounts of money from these benefits. Within a year, she illicitly acquired almost $2 million in funds that she was not entitled to receive, affecting over 100 victims through identity theft.
This case, highlighting significant financial fraud and identity theft, was investigated by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich. Morales now faces up to 10 years in federal prison, with her sentencing hearing scheduled for September 19, 2025.
For further information or to report similar fraudulent activities, individuals are encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
