Fort Mohave Man Convicted for Theft of Social Security Administration Benefits

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona:

PHOENIX, Ariz. – On September 8, 2022, John Logan Capps III, 71, of Fort Mohave, Arizona, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge G. Murray Snow to 18 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Capps previously pleaded guilty to Theft of Government Funds for stealing Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. In addition to his prison sentence, Capps was ordered to pay over $1.3 million in restitution.

For over 20 years, Capps used stolen identities to fraudulently apply for and receive SSA benefits. In total, Capps is responsible for receiving $1,364,648.40 in stolen funds from the SSA.

“For nearly two decades, Mr. Capps intentionally stole the identities of individuals to gain access to their Social Security benefits. This sentence demonstrates that we will continue to hold accountable those who criminally misuse the Social Security numbers of others for their own personal gain,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”

“Our Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Section regularly partners with the Inspector General community to protect the public fisc,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “Thanks to SSA-OIG for its efforts to safeguard the Social Security Trust Fund.”

The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Stone, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.