Fake FEMA funds recipient could get 20 years in prison

A 30-year-old man who received more than $30,000 in FEMA assistance funds pleaded guilty to mail fraud Monday in federal district court. He could get 20 years behind bars.

According to U.S. officials, Desima James, of Atlanta, filed more than 30 fraudulent claims with FEMA using fake names, addresses and social security numbers to receive federal assistance in the aftermath of several federally certified natural disasters. From September to December 2005, James filed claims at properties following Hurricanes Katrina in Louisiana, Hurricane Rita in Louisiana and Texas, Hurricane Wilma in Florida, floods in New Hampshire, and a tornado in Indiana.

Although James did have an apartment in Louisiana, FEMA declined his genuine request because the apartment received minimal damage.

Aside from that claim, James applied for FEMA assistance under the names “James Desima,” “Terrell James,” and “James Terell,” and used stolen social security numbers.

“When natural disaster strikes a city, people depend on the U.S. Mail to bring them both comfort and relief,” said Martin Phanco, Atlanta Division's Postal Inspector in Charge in a news release. “But Mr. James exploited other people's misfortune in hopes of being delivered a life of ease. Instead, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and other members of the Katrina Fraud Task Force have worked together to deliver justice to this FEMA fraudster."

James was initially indicted by a federal grand jury in January for mail and wire fraud, false statements and theft of government funds.