Aurora, Ohio – A federal court has sentenced Darmani Hawkins, 21, of Aurora, to 60 months in prison for his role in two major fraud schemes: exploiting COVID-era unemployment benefits and stealing checks from the U.S. mail. U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent also ordered Hawkins to pay $681,114.14 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
Exploiting Federal Pandemic Relief Programs
Hawkins and his co-conspirators took advantage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal initiative designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2020 to 2021, Hawkins submitted fraudulent unemployment claims to multiple states, pretending to meet eligibility requirements.
Once state unemployment agencies approved these falsified applications, benefits were distributed in the form of debit cards. Hawkins and his accomplices used these cards to withdraw funds, diverting essential resources meant to support unemployed workers during the pandemic. The total loss caused by this scheme was estimated at $425,000.
Coordinated Mail Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme
In a separate scheme, Hawkins orchestrated the theft of checks from the U.S. Postal Service. Using social media, he recruited postal workers to steal checks from the mail in exchange for a fee. Hawkins also persuaded individuals to use their bank accounts to deposit stolen checks.
Once the checks were deposited, Hawkins accessed the funds, either withdrawing them directly or receiving them through intermediaries. This elaborate operation caused an estimated loss of more than $700,000.
Condemnation of Exploitation and Fraud
“Mr. Hawkins shamelessly exploited federal resources intended to help those who became unemployed as a result of an uncontrollable, life-changing world event,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “His deceitful actions were selfish and heartless, diverting much-needed funds away from those who lost their jobs through no fault of their own.”
Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison echoed these sentiments, highlighting the gravity of Hawkins’ actions. “The sentencing of Mr. Hawkins should send a strong message to anyone who believes they can deceive government programs designed to help the American public in times of need,” Allison said. She emphasized that postal inspectors will aggressively pursue individuals who misuse the mail for criminal activities.
Collaborative Efforts Bring Justice
The investigation into Hawkins’ schemes involved several agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI Cleveland Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Barnhill prosecuted the case, which ultimately resulted in a combined restitution order of $681,114.14 for both schemes. Hawkins’ sentencing underscores the commitment of law enforcement and federal agencies to hold accountable those who exploit public resources and undermine trust in governmental and financial systems.
Over the course of his fraudulent activities, Hawkins caused financial losses exceeding $1.1 million. His sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the damage inflicted on both federal programs and private citizens. With this conviction, authorities aim to deter others from engaging in similar schemes.
