Lakeland Man Indicted On Theft Of Public Money And Aggravated Identity Theft Charges

LAKELAND, Fla. – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Julio Gonzalez, 45, Lakeland, with four counts of theft of public money and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, Gonzalez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the theft of public money counts and a mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years in federal prison for the aggravated identity theft counts.

The indictment also notifies Gonzalez that the United States is seeking a money judgment of $110,102.90, the proceeds of the alleged offense.

According to the indictment, Gonzalez used the identity of another individual to commit Social Security fraud and theft of government funds.

The indictment also alleges that between approximately February 2014 and February 2018, Gonzalez stole Social Security benefits being paid out on behalf of four different individuals. 

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler and Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.