A former New Orleans resident faces federal charges that he fraudulently received a pandemic aid loan and unemployment benefits, U.S. Attorney Duane Evans said in a Monday news release.

Stacy V. Santemore, 46, who now lives in Houston, is charged with making false statements and theft of government funds.

In the charging document, prosecutors accuse Santemore of fraudulently obtaining a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan of more than $89,000 by falsely claiming a business he owned was in operation on Feb. 15, 2020. He also is accused of receiving more than $1,000 in unemployment benefits from early April of 2020 until March of 2021, even though he was working for Amtrak.

Evans said Santemore faces a possible sentence of up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines if convicted on the false statements count; up to ten years in prison and up to $250,000 if convicted on the theft count.

He was charged in a bill of information filed last week in New Orleans. He has not entered a plea and is set for his initial court appearance later this month.

Court records did not list an attorney who could speak for Santemore.

Written By: The Associated Press