LAS VEGAS - - The man who hijacked the identity of a retired Missouri police officer and used it to obtain pension and medical benefits from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) pleaded guilty today to Identity Theft and agreed to forfeit approximately $90,000, announced Steven W. Myhre, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

James Lawrence Redmond, 62, was indicted in September 2006 after investigators with the Office of the Inspector General for the VA determined that from about June 1, 2003, to September 1, 2006, Redmond used the Social Security Number of John K. Halim, a retired Missouri police officer, to obtain about $90,000 worth of VA pension and healthcare benefits and Social Security benefits to which he was not entitled. Redmond had unlawfully taken the identification documents of Halim in 1982.

The maximum penalty for violating this identity theft law is not more than 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for January 2, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. before United States District Judge George W. Foley.

The case is being investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Veteran’s Administration and prosecuted by Executive Assistant United States Attorney Kurt P. Schulke.

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