Canadian man sentenced for benefit fraud, aggravated identity theft
BANGOR, Maine – A Canadian man residing in Gardiner, Maine, was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday in U.S. District Court for theft of public money and aggravated identity theft. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Office of the Maine Attorney General, and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Robert Jerome Bond, 47, of Gardiner, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for theft of public money and an additional two years for aggravated identity theft.
According to court records, on about January 19, 2001, Bond applied for and was granted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using the name of an actual U.S. citizen. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals. Bond, a Canadian citizen, was not eligible for SNAP benefits at the time of the application and improperly received over $5,900 in SNAP benefits.
The benefit fraud was discovered when the real owner of Bond’s assumed identity applied for benefits in another state. The investigation revealed Bond’s true name and citizenship and his 20-year-history of criminal activity under false identities. U.S. District Court Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. pointed out that the use of those false identities helped Bond avoid detection and deportation.
"The fraudulent use of identification documents, both real and counterfeit, represents a very real threat to public safety," said Matthew Etre, special agent in charge for HSI New England. "Through the combined authorities and expertise of our special agents and our state partners, we will continue to aggressively target those who try to mask their true identity."
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