Fayetteville Man Who Stole Identity of Elderly Man Sentenced to More Than Seven Years

RALEIGH, N.C. - A Fayetteville man was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for impersonating an elderly man to steal his federal benefits and commit fraud. On August 19, 2024, Brandon Scott Grimble pled guilty to aggravated identity theft, bank fraud, and wire fraud.

"Fraudsters like Grimble are targeting our elders, hoping to steal pensions and social security, and ruining their credit," said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. "We won't stand by and watch this happen. Grimble and those like him will face hard time for their callous crimes."

According to court documents, Grimble, age 43, gained access to the personal identifying information of the victim, an elderly man who was in poor physical and mental health. From early 2021 through 2022, Grimble, along with his co-defendant, impersonated the victim to steal his Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Social Security benefits, open bank accounts, purchase vehicles, and take out life insurance policies all in the victim's name. After the victim died in June 2022, Grimble impersonated the victim to apply for additional life insurance policies and lines of credit on the victim's home.

"PBGC OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with Federal prosecutors and law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the financial safety of the aging population" said Inspector General Nicholas J. Novak of the PBGC OIG. "I commend the diligence of the PBGC OIG investigatory team for bringing detailed aspects of this case to light, and the work of the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure accountability and justice."

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by <_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle" datavalue="U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan" datavalue="U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III" datavalue="U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II" datavalue="Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt" datavalue="Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard" datavalue="Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard">U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The United States Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of Investigation investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa K. Labresh is prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-00112-FL.