Daytona Beach Man Sentenced To Prison For Theft Of Government Money And Making False Statements To A Federal Agency

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Richard Sauls (64, Daytona Beach) to nine months in federal prison for theft of government property and making false statements to a federal agency. As part of his sentence, Sauls must also pay restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sauls entered a guilty plea on November 21, 2024. 

According to court documents, Sauls was receiving Social Security benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under his original Social Security number. He then used a second Social Security number that had been issued to him to apply for a second set of Social Security and SNAP benefits, to which he was not entitled. In his applications, Sauls made several false statements about his income and resources, including denying that he was already receiving Social Security and SNAP benefits. As a result of his fraudulent applications, Sauls received a second set of SNAP benefits to which he was not entitled. He did not receive a second set of Social Security benefits because the Social Security Administration discovered the fraud before any payments were issued to him. 

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.