Federal Grand Jury Indicts Two Peoria, Illinois, Residents for Fraud Related to COVID Relief Funds and Unemployment Insurance

PEORIA, Ill. – A grand jury returned indictments on March 21, 2023, against two Peoria, Illinois, residents, charging them with fraudulently obtaining pandemic related and unemployment benefits via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Andre Johnson, 25, was charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement. The indictment alleges the offenses occurred from May 2020 through September 2021 in Peoria County, Illinois. 

Shon Smith, 33, was charged with one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of making a false statement. The indictment alleges the offenses occurred from June 2020 through June 2021 in Peoria County, Illinois. 

Each of the individuals has been issued a summons to appear in federal court in Peoria for arraignment on April 12, 2023.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty for each offense of wire fraud or mail fraud is 20 years’ imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, and restitution.  The statutory maximum penalty for making a false statement is five years’ imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, and restitution.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office.  Criminal Chief Darilynn J. Knauss is representing the government in the prosecutions.

COVID-19 disaster relief and enhanced unemployment benefits are intended to help people and businesses suffering as a result of the pandemic. If members of the public suspect anyone fraudulently obtained or misused benefits, they should contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NDCF) Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submit the NCDF Web Complaint Form. The NCDF is a national coordinating agency within the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division dedicated to improving the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of criminal conduct related to natural and man-made disasters and other emergencies, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19). Hotline staff will obtain information regarding complaints, which will then be reviewed by law enforcement officials. More information is available at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.