Zephyrhills Man Sentenced To Prison For Identity Theft

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Richard Hoagland (63, Zephyrhills), formerly of Indiana, to two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. In addition, he was ordered to forfeit $42,500, which represents the proceeds of the misrepresentations that he made in connection with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  Section 8 housing program.

Hoagland pleaded guilty to these charges on February 16, 2017.

According to court documents, Hoagland used the name, date of birth, social security, and identity of a deceased person in documents submitted to the Federal Aviation Authority. He applied for and obtained a pilot and medical certificate in 2012, and again in 2014. He also used the information to register his partial ownership in an aircraft in 2014. Hoagland falsely stole the deceased person’s identity in 1995, abandoning his true name of Richard Hoagland, and used this false identity for all purposes, including paperwork that he filed with HUD.

This case was investigated by Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Transportation - Office of Inspector General, and HUD - Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.