Providence Man On Parole For Sex Trafficking Admits To Identity Theft

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man admitted in federal court Wednesday that he fraudulently submitted applications for COVID-19 unemployment benefits while under federal supervised release for sex trafficking charges.

Prosecutors said Mackenzy Scott, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, seven counts of wire fraud, theft of government money and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, beginning in March 2020, Scott used his own name and others' names to submit fraudulent online applications for COVID-related unemployment benefits from state agencies in North Dakota, Massachusetts, Arizona, Nevada, Kentucky, Texas, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana. Scott admitted to doing this about four months after he was released from prison on sex trafficking charges.

In each of these applications, Scott falsely claimed that he, and the other persons in whose names he submitted applications, were entitled to benefits and made false statements about employment and residence in the applications submitted to respective states, prosecutors said.

Scott's activity was discovered in February 2021 by a United States probation officer, authorities said.

Rhode Islanders who believe their personal identification has been stolen and used to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits are urged to email Rhode Island State Police at financialcrimes@risp.gov or call the FBI Providence office at 401-272-8310.