(Duluth, MN) -- Acting United States Attorney W. Anders Folk in Minnesota Thursday announced a 16-count federal indictment charging 34-year-old Jared John Fiege with fraud, aggravated identity theft, and illegal possession of firearms.
According to the allegations in the indictment, from at least April 2020 through August 2020, Fiege devised and executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief through Unemployment Insurance and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. As part of the scheme, Fiege submitted fraudulent applications for UI benefits and EIDL assistance by using stolen names, birth dates, and social security numbers of at least 25 individuals. He also invented fictional business entities, which he linked to the identities of real persons without their knowledge or consent.
Fiege had multiple cell phones and registered numerous email addresses which he used to impersonate others, along with fraudulent passports, false bank accounts and went as far as requesting bank cards to be issued by mail, allowing him to withdraw significant amounts of cash.
The indictment also states that the Duluth-native illegally possessed two firearms, namely a Glock 43, 9 mm handgun and a Sig Sauer handgun. Because he has prior felony convictions, Fiege is prohibited from having firearms or ammunition at any time.
Fiege's trial is pending.
