A Philadelphia man is facing more than two years in prison after using stolen identities to steal more than $1,000,000 in government benefits.
James Sessoms, 60, was sentenced to 28 months in prison and three years on supervised release by United States District Judge Chad F. Kenney. Between November 2019 and November 2023, Sessoms used stolen identities and Social Security numbers to file for government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. In total, his plans cost the government $1,063,633.
Sessoms was indicted in October 2024 and pleaded guilty in April to one count of SNAP fraud, seven counts of false statements related to health care benefits, and seven charges of Social Security fraud.
According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as part of Sessoms’ scheme, he obtained or created the names, Social Security numbers, and personally identifiable information for several fictitious people, as well as the names and personally identifiable information of other people, including valid SSNs. He also used false driver’s licenses and forged family members on benefit applications to collect higher benefits.
Sessoms would then profitably sell the fraudulently obtained SNAP cards at local supermarkets.
“Stealing money from government programs is an awful crime,” United States Attorney David Metcalf said. “We will continue to prosecute fraud against the government and hold crooks like Sessoms accountable, on behalf of all the taxpayers funding these programs.”
Sessoms was also ordered to pay $398,708.58 in restitution.
