An Oakland County man has pleaded guilty in connection with a multi-state unemployment insurance benefit fraud scheme, officials announced.
Terrance Calhoun Jr., 36, of Pontiac, pleaded guilty to committing aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices in connection with acts of unemployment insurance fraud, according to a release from acting U.S. Attorney Julie A. Beck. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the wire fraud counts, and up to 10 years for the possession of unauthorized access devices. He also faces a mandatory consecutive 2-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft charge.
The 36-year-old, along with others, filed hundreds of fake pandemic unemployment claims with personal information from people without their knowledge or consent.
The claims were filed in Michigan, Arizona and Maryland over six months.
After the claims were filed, hundreds of debit cards that were loaded with over $4 million were mailed to addresses associated with Calhoun and the others involved.
Officials said about $1.6 million in purchases and withdrawals were made with these cards.
When authorities executed search warrants at the addresses associated with the cards, including Calhoun’s, they seized firearms, documents with others’ personal information and several debit cards in the names of other people.
“Taxpayer money diverted into the pockets of criminals means less money going to Michiganders who actually need help getting through difficult financial times and who follow the rules when seeking assistance,” said Beck. “These charges reflect our office’s ongoing commitment to the community by investigating such schemes and bringing those who commit these crimes to justice.”
His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2025.
