Inland Empire Woman Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal Prison for COVID-19 Related Fraud

Strategic Insights -

An Inland Empire woman, Jasmine Unique Mallard-McCarter, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining $1.7 million in COVID-19 pandemic-related benefits. The scheme involved impersonating others to apply for government benefits, using personal identifying information to apply for benefits on behalf of others, and charging fees for counterfeit documents and ID.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jasmine Unique Mallard-McCarter, 30, of Eastvale, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
  • McCarter pleaded guilty on February 28 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
  • McCarter impersonated others to apply online for government benefits that she used for herself, and used personal identifying information provided by co-conspirators to apply for benefits on their behalf.
  • McCarter charged fees to instruct others how to apply for government benefits for which they were not eligible without getting caught.
  • McCarter served as a broker for counterfeit documents, such as Social Security cards, driver's licenses, IRS Forms 1040, and W-2s.
  • McCarter advertised her fraud services on Instragram, using handles "JassyMc" and "EliteRealEstateandBusiness".
  • McCarter referred to herself as the "Jass of All Trades" in social media posts.
  • McCarter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor -- Office of Inspector General, Employee Development Department Investigations Division, U.S. Small Business Administration -- Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security -- Office of Inspector General, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Secret Service.
  • Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.

Statistics:

  • McCarter obtained $1.7 million in COVID-19 pandemic-related benefits through her scheme.
  • McCarter faces $1,765,407 in restitution.
  • 84 months is equivalent to 7 years in prison.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor -- Office of Inspector General, Employee Development Department Investigations Division, handled the investigation.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021.
  • The COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force was established on September 15, 2022, with the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Central and Eastern Districts of California heading one of the national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams.

Sources:

  • U.S. FBI LOS ANGELES. (n.d.). Inland Empire Woman Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal Prison for COVID-19 Related Fraud.
  • https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
  • https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-covid-19-fraud-strike-force-teams
  • https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form