NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that DARRYL SANDERS, a/k/a Daryl Saunders (“SANDERS”), age 61, of Slidell, Louisiana, was indicted on March 28, 2019, by a federal grand jury for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 and for False Statements in an Application for a Passport, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542. The Indictment was unsealed Wednesday, April 3, 2019 after SANDERS was arrested by federal agents at the New Orleans Passport Office.

According to Count One of the Indictment, beginning in December 2013, and continuing until March 2019, SANDERS, did knowingly embezzle, steal, purloin, and convert to his use, money belonging to the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), to which he knew he was not entitled, when he submitted a fraudulent application for SSA benefits that contained a false name, false date of birth, and a fraudulently obtained Social Security number, and as a result, he was paid approximately $44,838.00 in SSA SSID benefits.

According to Count Two of the Indictment, on March 27, 2018, SANDERS, knowingly made false statements in an application for a 2018 U.S. Passport when he falsely claimed his name was Daryl Saunders, with a date of birth of 09/03/XXXX.

U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, SANDERS faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment as to each count.

On April 3, 2019, SANDERS appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dana M. Douglas who detained SANDERS.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.

 

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NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that DARRYL SANDERS, a/k/a Daryl Saunders (“SANDERS”), age 62, of Slidell, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday to making False Statements in an Application for a Passport, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542.

According to Count 2 of the Indictment, on March 27, 2018, SANDERS knowingly made false statements in an application for a 2018 U.S. Passport when he falsely claimed his name was Daryl Saunders, with a date of birth of 09/03/XXXX.

SANDERS faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment as to each count. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for September 10, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.

 

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