Crime & Safety

Perry Hall Man Sentenced in Scheme to Steal from Baltimore City

The man was facing 20 years in jail.

A Perry Hall man was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for wire fraud, conspiracy and aggravated identity theft for his role in an attempt to steal from the city of Baltimore.

Robert Johnson, 33, of Perry Hall, was also ordered to serve 75 hours of community service and to be on supervised probation for three years after his release, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III issued the sentence on Monday, the statement said.

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Johnson pleaded guilty in September to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.

He worked in consumer relations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Baltimore and admitted to conspiring with a friend who worked in Baltimore City’s Department of Finance to obtain between $70,000 and $120,000 in fraudulently issued checks from the city.

Find out what's happening in Perry Hallfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

All of the stolen money was ultimately returned, according to Johnson’s plea agreement.

Johnson used the funds for his own purposes or to fund meals and other purchases for the benefit of his co-conspirator Denita Hill, who was considering buying a house and reportedly said Johnson would have to make the down payment, the plea agreement said.

Previously, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland said Johnson could have face 20 years in prison.

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