United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NEW YORK FUGITIVE PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEROY JOHNSON, also known as “Desmond Williams,” “Mike D. Williams” and “Jayden Gibson,” 47, last residing on Maple Street in New Haven, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of making false statements to the Social Security Administration when he sought to obtain a replacement social security card under another person’s name and social security number.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on October 22, 2008, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General agents began an investigation into an individual using the name “Jayden Gibson” who had attempted to obtain and new social security card.  However, Gibson provided the SSA with a birth certificate for an individual who is deceased, and the SSA determined that the Social Security number supplied by Gibson was assigned to another individual in Chicago.  SSA denied the request for a replacement card.  Subsequent investigation into Jayden Gibson’s identity and whereabouts revealed that “Gibson” was renting an apartment in New Haven under the name “Desmond Williams,” and was employed under the name of Desmond Williams at a place of business in Hamden.

On April 28, 2009, SSA-OIG agents interviewed “Gibson” at his place of work.  After giving several misleading and inconsistent statements about his true identity, an agent advised Gibson of his intent to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for assistance in determining whether an arrest warrant would be sought.  Gibson then attempted to flee the building and was apprehended by SSA-OIG agents.

Following his arrest, fingerprints determined Gibson’s true identity to be LEROY JOHNSON.

The fingerprint check also revealed that JOHNSON was the subject of a bench warrant issued from the New York Supreme Court in Queens County following JOHNSON’s failure to appear for sentencing, on November 17, 2004, in connection with his conviction for Engaging in a Course of Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree.  Following his failure to appear for sentencing, JOHNSON was sentenced in absentia to a 20-year term of incarceration.

Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for August 27, 2009, at which time JOHNSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 for making the false statements.

In addition, JOHNSON has agreed to be returned to New York to begin service of his 20-year sentence, and also to face charges related to his failure to appear at his sentencing in 2004.

“The SSA-OIG agents who investigated this matter deserve praise for their diligent work in identifying this defendant’s true identity and arresting this sexual predator after he attempted to flee,” Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stated.

This case has been investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov