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Date: 05-25-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 8:20-cr-00152-PWG
Judge:
Court: United States District Court for the District of Maryland (Prince George's County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Greenbelt, Maryland theft of government property charge criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant.
Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr., age 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, was charged with theft of government property, in connection with a scheme to use his government-issued travel credit card to obtain more than $1.1 million in cash advances.
“Eddie Johnson betrayed his position of trust for his personal gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner. “Corrupt public employees rip off the taxpayers and undermine everyone’s faith in the government.”
According to his plea agreement, from January 2003 to February 2018, Johnson was a civilian Air Force employee, most recently as a travel coordinator in the Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Legislative Liaison, where he planned congressional travel and reviewed and approved accounting packages submitted by trip escorts, among other duties. Johnson admitted that from March 2014 through September 2017, he used his government-issued travel credit card to obtain more than $1.1 million in cash advances, at least $774,000 of which he diverted to his own personal use.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Johnson frequently deposited the stolen funds into a non-interest bearing account opened in his name at a bank branch in the Pentagon. Employees in the Office of Legislative Liaison were instructed to open such accounts so that they could more easily deposit and withdraw government funds for official use without accruing interest. After depositing the stolen funds, Johnson wrote checks to himself, which he deposited into his personal bank accounts, and spent the money for his personal benefit, including on living expenses, a baby grand piano, loan payments for a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and family vacations. Johnson also admitted that he provided cash to his family members, including his spouse.
During execution of a search warrant at Johnson’s residence in Brandywine, Maryland on November 6, 2019, law enforcement recovered approximately $15,1740 in cash from Johnson’s residence. Johnson agrees that at least $4,000 of the funds seized were the proceeds of his offense.
In all, Johnson’s conduct caused a loss to the U.S. government of $1,157,540.69, which includes $26,506.02 in banking and service fees that the Air Force paid monthly in connection with the cash advances Johnson obtained. As part of his plea agreement, Johnson has agreed to the entry of a restitution order in the full amount of the victim’s losses.
Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for theft of government property. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for September 3, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the OSI, the DCIS, and the IRS-CI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dana J. Brusca and Elizabeth Wright, who are prosecuting the case.
18:641 THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
(1)
18:641 THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
(1s-4s)
18:641 THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
(2)
18:1956(a)(1)(B)(i) MONEY LAUNDERING
(3-7)
18:1956 MONEY LAUNDERING
(5s-11s)
Outcome: 05/14/2021 29 Rearraignment as to Eddie Ray Johnson Jr. (1) as to Count 1 of the Indictment held on 5/14/2021, Guilty Plea entered by Eddie Ray Johnson Jr. (1) as to Count 1 of the Indictment before Judge Paul W. Grimm. (Court Reporter: Linda Marshall) (ss5s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/14/2021)
05/14/2021 30 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr (ss5s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/14/2021)
05/14/2021 31 -SEALED- PLEA SUPPLEMENT as to Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr (ss5s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/14/2021)
05/14/2021 32 Regular Sentencing Order as to Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr. Signed by Judge Paul W. Grimm on 5/14/2021. (dg3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/14/2021)
05/14/2021 33 ORDER pursuant to Fed R Crim P 5(f) and the Due Process Protections Act as to Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr. Signed by Judge Paul W. Grimm on 5/14/2021. (dg3s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/14/2021)
05/14/2021 PAPERLESS NOTICE OF HEARING by U.S. Attorney's Office as to Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr. PLEASE NOTE: Defendant is not in custody. A writ has not been requested. A come up has not been requested. An interpreter will not be needed. Sentencing set for 9/3/2021 10:00 AM in Greenbelt (for specific location, refer to court website:www.mdd.uscourts.gov/calendar/calendar.asp) before Judge Paul W. Grimm.(Brusca, Dana) (Entered: 05/14/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: