Detroit, MI – A Dearborn Heights man with a lengthy criminal record is headed back to federal prison, this time for more than a decade, after orchestrating multiple fraud schemes that totaled roughly $1.2 million.
Joseph Miller, 53, was sentenced to 129 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to:
• Two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud
• Aggravated Identity Theft
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith in the Eastern District of Michigan.
18 Prior Felony Convictions
According to federal court records, Miller is no stranger to the system. Prosecutors noted he has 18 prior felony convictions before this case.
Despite that history, investigators say he continued participating in large-scale fraud schemes involving stolen identities, fraudulent loans, and federal disaster relief funds.
Scheme #1: Retail Fraud – $912,000
In the first scheme, Miller and co-conspirators used stolen identities to open charge accounts in the names of unsuspecting victims.
They then used those accounts to make approximately $912,000 in fraudulent purchases from two separate retailers.
Scheme #2: Fraudulent Loans – $172,000
Miller also used stolen identities to secure fraudulent loans from a financial institution, resulting in approximately $172,000 in losses.
Scheme #3: COVID-Era Disaster Relief Fraud – $203,970
The third scheme involved fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, known as EIDL loans.
The EIDL program was administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide low-interest loans to small businesses affected by declared disasters.
Prosecutors say Miller and others submitted fraudulent applications tied to several businesses, obtaining $203,970 in relief funds.
Federal Investigation
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division.
It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Wyse. Related forfeiture and restitution matters are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Fasbinder.
10+ Years Behind Bars
With 129 months imposed, Miller will serve just over 10 years in federal prison. Federal sentences do not include parole, meaning he will serve the vast majority of that term.
For a defendant with nearly two decades of felony history, the sentence reflects what federal prosecutors described as a pattern of repeated fraud and identity-based financial crimes.
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