Newark Woman Missing; Disabled Child’s Benefits Stolen: Feds

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man has been accused of embezzling federal benefits meant for the disabled child of his former girlfriend, who is now missing, authorities recently announced.

Asmar Earp, 37, of Newark, was charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He appeared in court on Friday and was detained, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors released the following statement about the charges against Earp:

“Earp was in a romantic relationship and shared a house with a woman in Newark. Through a program administered by the Social Security Administration, the woman received monthly payments on behalf of her disabled minor son, who was not capable of managing these benefits on his own. On Dec. 24, 2017, the woman went missing and her whereabouts remain unknown. Six days after her disappearance, Earp fraudulently gained control of the victim’s benefits by changing the PIN code on the debit card used to access those funds. In March and April 2018, Earp also fraudulently used the woman’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number to receive a replacement debit card to continue accessing and using the victim’s benefits. From December 2017 through February 2020, Earp and others acting at his direction repeatedly and fraudulently took the money intended to help the victim.”

Prosecutors said that each count of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Each count of aggravated identity theft is punishable by a sentence of two years in prison, at least one of which must be served consecutive to any other term imposed, and a maximum of $250,000.

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