A 62-year-old Pasco County woman, Linda Sue Johnson, was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to committing identity fraud while stealing her son’s disability benefits. According to the US Department of Justice, Johnson hid her son’s disappearance and used his identity to receive his disability benefits.
The incident occurred from June 2016 to July 2017, during which Johnson used her son’s identity to cash his disability check, totaling approximately $7,488. Johnson’s son was 36 years old when he disappeared. Authorities did not disclose the location of his disappearance but stated that Johnson had been hiding the information to benefit from his disability checks.
Johnson was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $7,488 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
This case highlights the importance of protecting personal identities and the consequences of committing identity fraud. Residents in Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus counties can report suspicious activities to their local authorities.
Originally reported by WFLA – Pasco County
Sources: WFLA – Pasco County
