SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of Indiana announced a 40-year-old South Bend man was sentenced to prison on Jan. 16 after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The man, identified as Verrhontez L. Williams, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

Williams was also ordered to pay $168,744.00 in restitution to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Case documents state during the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020, Williams used other people's identities to apply for Indiana unemployment benefits and benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

Court documents reveal the cash benefits were dispersed via pre-paid debit cards mailed to Williams' South Bend home.

Williams then used the cards to withdraw cash at banks throughout the city.

Documents state Williams used at least 23 people's names to apply for benefits.