Social Security Administration Employee Pleads Guilty to Illegally Distributing SSNs
A 29-Year Employee at the SSA in San Jose Unlawfully Created and Distributed Social Security Cards
| U.S. Attorney's Office April 20, 2011 |
SAN JOSE—Rachel Ochoa pleaded guilty in federal court in San Jose on Monday to unlawfully producing Social Security cards, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.
In pleading guilty, Ms. Ochoa admitted to issuing Social Security numbers and cards to more than 25 individuals she knew did not have a legal right to obtain them.
According to the plea agreement, Ms. Ochoa worked at the Social Security Administration’s San Jose Office for 29 years. Ms. Ochoa was employed as a claims development clerk. As part of her job duties, Ms. Ochoa was responsible for processing and issuing new Social Security numbers and cards. As part of her plea, Ms. Ochoa admitted to issuing Social Security numbers and cards without requiring applicants to present proper documentation.
Ms. Ochoa, 66, of San Jose, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 17, 2010. She was charged with one count of unlawful production of an identification document in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(1), and one count of theft of government property in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. Under the plea agreement, Ms. Ochoa pled guilty to one count of unlawful production of an identification document.
The sentencing of Ms. Ochoa, who will remain out of custody on bond, is scheduled for July 18, 2011 before Judge Ware in San Jose. The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(1) is five years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Jeff Schenk is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kamille Singh. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Further Information:
Case #:CR-10-00846-JW
A copy of this press release may be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can.