Kenai Man Gets Four Years in Federal Prison for Identity Theft

ANCHORAGE, AK—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on April 9, 2010, Richard Leo Hadsell, of Kenai, Alaska, was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage, to serve 48 months in federal prison for passport fraud, using a false Social Security number to obtain permanent fund dividends, and aggravated identity theft.

Hadsell, 71, was arrested in Kenai on November 18, 2009, pursuant to a federal grand jury indictment warrant and pled guilty on January 15, 2010. He was sentenced by United States District Court Judge John W. Sedwick.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley, Hadsell used at least four identities, using the names “Stanley Miller,” “Eugene Easley,” and “Richard Sunkle.” According to the indictment, the real Stanley Miller, the real Edward Sunkle, and the real Eugene Easley are all deceased. Hadsell obtained four U.S. passports under the “Miller” identity and pled guilty to passport fraud and aggravated identity theft for using the Miller identity to obtain a passport in 2007. Hadsell also obtained over $30,000 in permanent fund dividends under the “Easley” name between 1985 and 2009, and was convicted of using a fraudulently obtained Social Security number for using the Easley identity on his PFD applications.

The indictment also alleged that Hadsell obtained Alaska driver’s licenses and identification cards in both the Hadsell and Miller names, and to have opened credit union accounts in both names as well. Hadsell has an extensive criminal record going back to the mid-1950's, and was wanted on criminal charges in California and Oregon while living in Alaska under the false identities. Hadsell was known in the Kenai area as “Hippie Jerry.”

The defendant received a prison term of two years on the passport and Social Security charges. In addition, the law calls for a mandatory two-year consecutive prison term on each count of aggravated identity theft, for a total term of four years. Upon release, he will serve a term of three years under supervision, and was ordered to make over $30,000 in restitution to the Alaska Department of Revenue.

The case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration; the Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Division. The Kenai Police Department and the Alaska State Troopers also assisted in the investigation and apprehension of Mr. Hadsell.