U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Co nnecticut
Connecticut Financial Center (203) 821-3700
157 Church Street Fax (203) 773-5376
New Haven, Connecticut 06510 www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Tom Carson
April 29, 2009 Public Information Office
(203) 821-3722
(203) 996-1393 (cell)

SOCIAL SECURITY AGENTS ARRESTALLEGED FUGITIVE FROM NEW YORK

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LEROY JOHNSON, also known as “Desmond Williams,” “Mike D. Williams” and “Jayden Gibson,” 47, last residing on Maple Street in New Haven, has been arrested on a federal Criminal Complaint charging him with misuse of a Social Security account number. JOHNSON, who was arrested yesterday, April 28, by agents with the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, is believed to be the same individual wanted in Queens, New York, following his failure to appear for sentencing in January 2005.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in October 2008, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General agents began
an investigation into an individual using the name “Jayden Gibson” who had attempted to obtain and new social security card. However, Gibson allegedly provided the SSA with a birth certificate for an individual who is deceased, and the SSA determined that the Social Security number supplied by Gibson was assigned to another individual in Chicago. SSA denied the request for a replacement card. Subsequent investigation into Jayden Gibson’s identity and whereabouts revealed that “Gibson” was renting an apartment in New Haven under the name “Desmond Williams,” and was employed under the name of Desmond Williams at a place of business in Hamden. Yesterday, SSA-OIG agents interviewed Gibson at his place of work. After allegedly giving several misleading and inconsistent statements about his true identity, an agent advised Gibson of his intent to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for assistance in determining whether an arrest warrant would be sought. Gibson then allegedly attempted to flee the building and subsequently was apprehended by SSAOIG agents.

Following his arrest, fingerprints determined Gibson’s true identity to be LEROY JOHNSON.

JOHNSON appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Joan G.Margolis in New Haven who ordered JOHNSON detained pending a probable cause
hearing that is scheduled for May 11, 2009.

“The SSA-OIG agents who are investigating this matter deserve praise for their diligent work in identifying this defendant’s true identity and arresting him after he
allegedly attempted to flee,” Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stated. “We intend to work closely with the Queens District Attorney’s Office while this matter is pending so that this defendant is returned to New York as soon as possible.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stressed that a Complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to have this matter presented to a grand
jury and, in the event an indictment is returned, he is entitled to a trial at which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant United
States Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.