A former New England Patriots wide receiver has pleaded guilty to stealing identities to fraudulently obtain coronavirus-related unemployment insurance benefits while in California.
33-year-old Kenbrell Thompkins is said to have pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of unauthorized access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to original documents from Thompkins’ indictment.
According to a plea agreement, Thompkins used the stolen identities of numerous Florida residents to obtain fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits from the state of California. California distributed these unemployment benefit funds as debit cards, which were mailed to addresses associated with Thompkins in Miami and nearby Aventura, prosecutors said. Thompkins received approximately $300,000 in fraudulent aid — $230,000 of which was withdrawn.
Thompkins was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2013 and also suited up for the Raiders and New York Jets.
He then finished out his career in 2015.
He faces up to 12 years in prison at his scheduled hearing on Jan. 6.
