Florida Resident Pleads Guilty to Theft of Federal Student Aid Funds and Aggravated Identity Theft

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROMAN WILLIAMS, age 36, of Pensacola, Florida, pled guilty today to a two-count Bill of Information charging him with theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, WILLIAMS falsified federal student loan applications using stolen identities and then used the stolen student aid monies for his own personal use.

For theft of government funds WILLIAMS faces a maximum 10 years imprisonment, followed by up to 3 years supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person, and a $100 special assessment.

For aggravated identity theft WILLIAMS faces a two-year consecutive term of imprisonment, followed by up to one year of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to defendant or twice the gross loss to any person, and a $100 special assessment.  U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon set the sentencing hearing for December 21, 2017.  

Acting U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.