Feds: Pawtucket, Warwick Police Helped Nab Identity Thief

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island man who called himself “Mr. Vacation” has been indicted on charges that he stole Social Security numbers to apply for CARES Act unemployment funds in Pennsylvania and for Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

A federal grand jury in Providence on Friday returned a 17-count indictment naming 28-year-old Courtney Hilaire, a Providence man who formerly lived in Avon, Massachusetts. Hilaire, who in 2020 was arrested on state charges in both Warwick and Pawtucket, is now charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

In a separate federal indictment, also unsealed Friday, Hilaire is one of three men charged with conspiracy and possession of fraudulent devices and device-making equipment. His alleged co-conspirators are Hugh A. Martin, 32, of Pawtucket and Shawn K. Hilaire of Avon, Massachusetts.

Acting U.S. Atty. Richard B. Myrus said in a release that police departments in Pawtucket and Warwick worked with the Department of Homeland Security to conduct investigations leading to the federal charges.

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It was July 3, 2020 in Warwick when police found Hilaire and two others inside a car parked in a hotel lot. Warwick police say a stolen license plate led to a search of the car. Police say they found 33 counterfeit credit cards, numerous fake drivers licenses, card-making equipment, written lists of stolen identities, and $13,000 in crisp, clean bills.

In August of 2020, Hilaire was arrested again, this time in Pawtucket. Police say they found him sleeping in a Ford Fiesta and that he had an unlawful amount of marijuana in the car. They recognized his name from a previous Fusion Center email as the person arrested in Warwick. According to a police report, Hilaire had a stack of fraudulent credit cards sticking out of his pocket when he was arrested.

Courtney Hilaire: Pawtucket Police Department

As for the federal charges, it's alleged that Hilaire used the internet to gain the Social Security numbers and birth dates of many unsuspecting people. He then accessed public records to learn more about his victims. In July of 2020, he allegedly filed at least six applications for unemployment from the State of Pennsylvania, and money was deposited into various bank accounts. Hilaire is accused of using ATMs across Rhode Island to withdraw the funds.

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Courtney Hilaire further used the fake name “Mr. Vacation” to defraud the Small Business Administration of CARES Act Economic Injury Disaster Loans, federal prosecutors allege. They say he filed at least 28 fraudulent applications with the SBA for business loans. The program was designed to help small businesses that lost revenues during the pandemic.

Myrus said Hilaire is the latest charged in Rhode Island with running schemes to defraud CARES Act programs. To date, Rhode Island prosecutors have charged 24 people with defrauding state unemployment agencies and the SBA of CARES Act relief funds. Several investigations are ongoing.

The Hilaire indictments were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, Warwick Police Chief Colonel Bradford Connor, and Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William F. Ferland. Courtney Hilaire is now detained on both state and federal charges at the ACI. Arrest warrants have been issued for Martin and Shawn Hilaire.