Current:Home > InvestMaine man, 86, convicted of fraud 58 years after stealing dead brother's identity -EquityZone
Maine man, 86, convicted of fraud 58 years after stealing dead brother's identity
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:25:10
An 86-year-old Maine man has been convicted of stealing his brother’s identity in an act of fraud that spanned the better part of 60 years.
Napoleon Gonzalez, of Etna, Maine, was convicted of mail fraud, Social Security fraud, passport fraud and identity theft by a U.S. District Court jury in Bangor, Maine on August 18, according to court records.
Gonzalez was accused of stealing the identity of his brother, who had died as an infant more than 20 years before, in 1965, which he then used to secure a new Social Security number, multiple passports and ID cards. He then used this assumed identity, along with his own, to receive double Social Security benefits, according to the U.S. District Attorney's Office for the District of Maine.
After over 50 years, however, Gonzalez was finally caught thanks to facial recognition technology.
Body left in car for a month:'Inhumane': Louisiana man killed woman, drove with her body for 30 days, police say
Facial recognition tech catches fraud
Emily Cook, spokesperson for the Maine secretary of state's office, told USA TODAY that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) uses facial recognition technology when issuing driver's licenses and identification cards as a means of detecting and preventing fraud.
The software uses facial characteristics to compare images in the system and ensure people applying for credentials are who they say they are, Cook said in an email statement.
The process, which is performed daily, usually does not return any potential issues, she said. If an image is flagged, it is further investigated and is often cleared upon further examination. In some cases, however, the system detects the presence of fraud or identity theft, in which case detectives contact and assist the victim in re-securing their information.
Gonzalez was initially the subject of another Social Security Administration investigation in 2010, before this technology was available. He was cleared at that time and continued to receive benefits.
However, a second investigation was opened in 2020, after the software detected his face on two separate sets of identifying information. "When fraud is detected, the fraudulent transactions are investigated and referred for administrative and/or criminal proceedings. That is what happened with this case," Cook said in an email statement.
According to court documents, Gonzalez claimed that he had been a member of the Air Force participating in an undercover operation in the 1960s and that the Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations instructed him to take on his dead brother's identity as part of the mission. Later, he said he had faked his own death and continued living under his brother's identity instead.
Gonzalez, who is due back in court for sentencing on a yet unknown date, faces up to 20 years in prison.
COVID relief fraud:'Motivated by insatiable greed': Miami real estate agent who used PPP funds on Bentley sentenced
His attorney, Harris Mattson of Silverstein & Mattson, P.A., told USA TODAY he plans to appeal the conviction to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He also said he believes his client's age will be a matter of consideration when sentencing does arrive.
"This was an unusual case that presented some interesting legal issues that we intend to raise on appeal," he said. "Our view is that the evidence was not sufficient to prove at least one element in every count of the indictment."
Gonzalez was released on own recognizance and is currently free while awaiting the sentencing and appeal.
veryGood! (84)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Booksellers fear impending book selling restrictions in Texas
- ACLU files lawsuit against drag show restrictions in Texas
- Kelly Ripa Recalls Daughter Lola Walking in On Her and Mark Consuelos Having Sex, Twice
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Morocco makes more World Cup history by reaching knockout round with win against Colombia
- This Northern Manhattan Wetland Has Faced Climate-Change-Induced Erosion and Sea Level Rise. A Living Shoreline Has Reimagined the Space
- Active shooter scare on Capitol Hill was a false alarm, police say
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- USA needs bold changes to have chance vs. Sweden. Put Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn in midfield
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- 'An existential crisis': Florida State president, Board of Trustees low on ACC future
- Otteroo baby neck floats still on sale despite reports of injury and one infant death
- CFPB sues auto dealer for illegally locking cars, re-possessing vehicles, other shady activities
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Idris Elba is the hero we need in 'Hijack'
- Minnesota Supreme Court rules against disputed mine, says state pollution officials hid EPA warnings
- Ohio utility that paid federal penalty says it’s now being investigated by a state commission
Recommendation
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
Willy the Texas rodeo goat, on the lam for weeks, has been found safe
Video shows New Yorkers detaining man accused of hitting 10 pedestrians with SUV
Lourdes Leon rocks purse bikini for Australian fashion label Dion Lee: See the pics
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Truck carrying lemons overturns on New Jersey highway: Police
Jon Gosselin Goes Public With Girlfriend Stephanie Lebo After 2 Years of Dating
Lindsay Lohan shares post-baby body selfie: 'I'm not a regular mom, I'm a postpartum mom'