Orlando Man Sentenced to Over Six Years for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft Involving COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Benefits

Orlando, Florida - Dexter Ray King (36, Orlando) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. to six years and three months in federal prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The Court also ordered King to forfeit $549,375.50 in proceeds from his bank fraud scheme. A restitution hearing is scheduled for June 29, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

King was convicted on January 9, 2026, following a jury trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, during the COVID-19 pandemic, King filed dozens of fraudulent claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits across several states. For many of the claims, King used stolen identities of other people and fake addresses. Once the claims were approved, King changed the addresses on the claims to his Orlando, Florida apartment, ensuring that the debit cards containing the fraudulently obtained government benefits were mailed to him. He then used the debit cards to withdraw the money from the bank. King also filed fraudulent claims using his own name, but Social Security numbers that did not belong to him and had the resulting benefits direct deposited into his bank account. In total, King received over half a million dollars in fraud proceeds, which he spent on a new $77,000 SUV, a trip to Las Vegas, expensive restaurants, and luxury fashion brands.

This case was investigated by the Department Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.

The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support 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.