Former Patriot Kenbrell Thompkins Charged With Identity Theft

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Former New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins is facing identity theft charges after federal prosecutors said he was part of an unemployment insurance fraud scene. Thompkins, 32, of Miami, Florida, was charged with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to prosecutors, Thompkins stole the identities of several Florida residents to get roughly $300,000 in unemployment insurance payouts from the State of California during the coronavirus pandemic, from August through September 2020.

Prosecutors said California officials put the unemployment benefits on debit cards and mailed them to Thompkins' addresses in Miami and Aventura, Florida. According to court documents, Thompkins used the debit cards to withdraw cash out of ATMs in Miami-Dade County. Of the $300,000 distributed, Thompkins withdrew about $230,000, prosecutors said.

Thompkins played for the New England Patriots for a little over a season after joining the team as an undrafted rookie in 2013. He caught 32 passes that season for 466 yards and four touchdowns, including a game-winning score against the New Orleans Saints.

Thompkins was eventually cut by the Patriots a month into the 2014 season and then joined the Oakland Raiders. Thompkins retired from the NFL in 2017.