Former Police Officer Admits Failing to Report Death and Pocketing Nearly $300,000 in Stolen Government Benefits

SAN DIEGO - Ivan Alonso Rodriguez of El Cajon pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he failed to report the death of a former coworker to the government, and pocketed almost $300,000 in federal benefits intended for the deceased man.

Rodriguez and the deceased coworker, identified in court documents as R.J.W., had worked together as police officers at Naval Base San Diego Security Department until R.J.W.'s retirement. In his plea agreement, Rodriguez admitted that in 2013, R.J.W. designated him as the sole trustee of his living trust, gave Rodriguez power of attorney over his affairs, and added Rodriguez as a co-signatory to the bank account where R.J.W. was receiving retirement benefit payments from the Social Security Administration and the Office of Personnel Management.

In 2016, R.J.W. died in Baja California, and despite receiving news about the death, Rodriguez did not report it to either the government or the bank. As a result, the Social Security Administration and Office of Personnel Management continued to make payments intended to benefit R.J.W. that would otherwise have ceased at the time of R.J.W.'s death. From May 2016 through September 2025, Rodriguiez received more than $200,000 in Retirement Insurance Benefits, $85,000 in Federal Employees Retirement System benefits, and $3,200 in Economic Impact Payments intended to benefit R.J.W. Rodriguez admitted in his plea agreement that he converted this stolen public money to his own use and benefit.

Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced on February 12, 2027, at 8:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey D. Hill.

DEFENDANT Case Number: 26-CR-04295-JO

Ivan Alonso Rodriguez Age: 47 San Diego

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Receipt, Concealment, and Retention of Stolen Public Money - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 641

Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.