Seven Wichita Area Residents Charged With Federal Unemployment Benefits Fraud

WICHITA, KAN. - Seven Wichita area residents were indicted in separate cases Tuesday on federal charges of fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

The indictments allege each of the defendants submitted false information to the Kansas Department of Labor in order to receive unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled.

Each of the defendants was charged with one count of wire fraud. The defendants include:

John C. Hutchinson, 36, Wichita, who worked for The Specialists Group, LLC and Home Depot USA Inc., and is alleged to have fraudulently received $25,888 in benefits.

Ricky J. Henderson, 32, Wichita, Kan., who worked for CNH America, LLC, and is alleged to have fraudulently received $12,405 in benefits.

Edward L. Schwartz, 46, Colwich, Kan., who worked for CNH America, LLC, and Angela D. Schwartz, 41, Colwich, Kan. They are alleged to have fraudulently received $10,320 in benefits.

Terrance Turner, 32, Wichita, Kan., who worked for CNH America, LLC, and is alleged to have fraudulently received $10,879 in benefits.

David J. Smith, 34, Wichita, Kan., who worked for CNH America, LLC, and is alleged to have fraudulently received $9,582 in benefits.

Ignacio Calderon, 49, Wichita, Kan, who worked for CNH America, LLC, and is alleged to have fraudulently received $15,401 in benefits.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Kansas Department of Labor investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster are prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Brandon L. Hutchinson, 30, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 13, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Jose Francisco Beltran, 39, Tucson, Ariz., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 27, 2015, in Lincoln County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.

Martin A. Garcia-Corona, 23, and Ana L. Armenta, 31, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 3, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $4 million. The Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

Joel Zamarripa-Favela, 28, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Sept. 3, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Fernando Delgado-Ornales, 39, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 10, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Roberto Castro-Alaniz, 39, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 27, 2015, in Seward County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.