In November, a Sheriff’s Investigator received a fraud referral regarding a Nicollet County public assistance recipient possibly stealing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits that actually belonged to a party in the State of Washington. The investigation found that the suspect stole the identity of a real person out of the State of Washington where he was able to change banks of an SSI recipient to his own. The suspect also applied and obtained public assistance benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medical Assistance) under the stolen identity.
Further investigation during a residential search warrant found that the suspect had outstanding medical bills of more than $70,000 and credit cards in the victim’s name from the State of Washington. It was also discovered the suspect had stolen another identity of another real person out of the State of Michigan.
The suspect is being charged in Nicollet County for the following:
Suspect: Martin Castro Rangel – Age 74, from St. Peter, MN.
COUNT 1
Charge: Identity Theft-Transfers/Possesses/Uses Identity of Other Person Minnesota Statute: 609.527.2, with reference to: 609.527.3(3), 609.52.3(3)
Maximum Sentence: 5 years, $10,000 fine or both
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (one or about): 09/01/2020 to 12/03/2021
COUNT 2
Charge: Wrongfully Obtaining Assistance-Theft- By False Stmts, Concealment, Impersonation
Minnesota Statute: 256.98.1(1), with reference to: 609.52.3(2)
Maximum Sentence: 10 years and/or $20,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 09/01/2020 to 12/03/2021
COUNT 3
Charge: Public Assistance/Food Stamp/Food Support – Declaration Requirement Minnesota Statute: 256.984.2, with reference to: 256.984.2
Maximum Sentence: 5 years, $10,000 fine or both
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 09/01/2020 to 12/03/2021
