Pennsylvania man sentenced for defrauding the government of over $1M in benefits

Date:2025-08-21 08:10:44 Category:US Views:1 Comment:0

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Philadelphia man is set to serve over 2 years in prison after he used stolen identities to steal over $1,000,000 from government benefits.

James Sessoms, 60, was sentenced to 28 months in prison and three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Chad F. Kenney. From Nov. 2019 to Nov. 2023, Sessoms used stolen identities and Social Security numbers to file for government benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. In total, the government lost $1,063,633 due to his schemes.

In October 2024, Sessoms was indicted by and pleaded guilty in April to one count of SNAP fraud, seven counts of false statements in connection with health care benefits and seven counts of Social Security fraud.

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According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as part of Sessoms’ scheme, he obtained or created the names, SSNs, and personally identifiable information for several fictitious persons, and obtained the names and personally identifiable information of other persons, including valid SSNs. He also submitted fraudulent driver’s licenses and purported family members on applications for benefits to receive larger benefits.

Sessoms would also then sell those fraudulently acquired SNAP cards for profit at local supermarkets.

“Stealing money from government programs is an awful crime,” United States Attorney David Metcalf said. “We will continue to prosecute fraud against the government and hold crooks like Sessoms accountable, on behalf of all the taxpayers funding these programs.”