Former FEMA Worker Sentenced for Aggravated Identity Theft

Robert G. Davis, 44, of the District of Columbia, received a sentence of 64 months in prison from U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton. The sentence also included payment of $48,765.80 in restitution to the victims. The sentence was in response to a guilty plea he entered earlier this year to charges of wire fraud (1 count) and aggravated identity theft (1 count).

Davis was employeed by a number of mortgage companies and subsequently by FEMA, from December 2003 to November 2007. During this time, Davis fraudulently used the personal information of 200 people to finance multiple shopping sprees. The items purchased were not just the everyday household products but luxury items instead. They included: gold and diamond jewelry, designer watches, gourmet food, and expensive clothing. Davis grew weary of wearing the same old jewelry, so he pawned some of it and bought more.

The victims of his fraud did nothing that would have put them at unusual risk. They were simply living normal lives trying to get by. In fact, 30 of the 200 were simply disaster victims applying to FEMA for relief.

This is just another excellent illustration that you have to exercise bad judgement or take unusual risks to be a victim of identity theft. All it takes is for one bad actor to have motive and opportunity.

That's why Merchants believes it is so important to protect yourself by enrolling in Merchants SmartIdentity program. We'll watch your credit file for you and send you email alerts when suspicious activity occurs. If you do become a victim, our Recovery Advocates can do the legwork for you to contact all of the creditors to straighten things out.