Smithfield Police, Postal Inspectors Arrest Johnston Man for Identity Theft, Social Security Fraud

Smithfield Police working with US Postal Inspectors, Johnston Police and a Social Security agent arrested a Johnston man today, alleging he charged $3,077.13 of clothing and electronics using a Smithfield man's identity and illegally collected $58,207.34 in Social Security benefits.  

Henry A. Fellela, Jr., 55, of Johnston was indicted today on charges alleging he obtained the identity of a Smithfield resident and used that person’s identity and credit card to purchase more than $3,000 worth of goods. The indictment also alleges Fellela fraudulently obtained more than $58,000 in Supplementary Social Security benefits by falsely claiming he was homeless while living in Johnston.

The identity theft and Social Security fraud were revealed by an investigation by U.S. Postal inspectors and Smithfield Police. In addition, according to the indictment, an investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations determined that from March 2004, approximately three months after Fellela was released from federal prison to begin serving a 21-month term of supervised release on an unrelated matter, and continuing until about June 1, 2012, Fellela allegedly claimed to be homeless, and applied for and received Supplementary Security Benefits totaling $58,207.34. It is alleged that during the time Fellela claimed to be homeless and was collecting benefit payments he was actually living with his wife and children in their Johnston residence. 

If convicted, Fellela faces up to 10 years imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and a fine $250,000 on the charge of credit card fraud; up to 10 years imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and a fine $250,000 on each charge of theft of government property; 5 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 on the charge of Social Security fraud; and 2 years imprisonment for aggravated identity theft, to be served consecutive to all other sentences imposed. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.