SACRAMENTO— On January 9, 2020, a two-count indictment was unsealed that charges William Francis Stevens, 52, of San Joaquin County, with theft of government property and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to the indictment, in January 2017, and continuing through July 2019, Stevens transferred, possessed, and used, without lawful authority, the name, date of birth, and social security number of his brother in connection with stealing government money, including benefits from the Social Security Administration.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General and the California Department of Health Care Services – Investigations Section.

On Dec. 12, 2019, a federal grand jury returned the indictment, which was sealed until Stevens’ arrest on January 9th in Stockton.

If convicted, Stevens faces a maximum statutory penalty of 12 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, including a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment.

DHCS Investigator and California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Member Tamara Singleton contributed to the investigation of this case.

“Investigative work of this kind often goes unnoticed by Californians,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “State investigators work to protect programs that are in place to financially assist people and families.  Those who steal from it are stealing from all of us.  Kudos to Investigator Singleton for her work with the Social Security Administration to bring to fruition charges in this case.”