Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Kenbrell Thompkins has been charged with identity theft and fraud in the United States.
According to TMZ, Thompkins could be put in jail for up to a decade.
Federal prosecutors in court docs say the 32-year-old former Jets, Raiders and Patriots wideout stole identities to illegally obtain cash that was intended for people who were financially reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.
In the docs, prosecutors say Thompkins used personal information from multiple people to apply for financial aid in California in Aug. 2020.
Investigators claim when the requests were granted, Thompkins was sent the money in the form of debit cards. Prosecutors claim they then caught the ex-NFL player on surveillance video using them to withdraw cash at Florida Bank of America locations.
Investigators say in total, Thompkins’ “scheme involves approximately $300,000 in California unemployment insurance funds credited to the fraudulent debit cards.” Of the $300,000, investigators claim Thompkins withdrew around $230,000.
Court records show Thompkins has been hit with one charge of use of one or more unauthorized access devices and two charges of aggravated identity theft.
If convicted on all counts, Thompkins is facing over 10 years behind bars.
During parts of three seasons in the NFL with New England, Oakland and New York, Thompkins caught 70 passes for 893 yards and four touchdowns, all of those scores were thrown by Tom Brady.
Following two NFL seasons on the sidelines, Winnipeg signed Thompkins in May 2018. He made 29 receptions for 421 yards and one touchdown in 12 games with the Blue Bombers. That was the last stop of his pro football career.
