OKLAHOMA CITY — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Oklahoma, Western), published as received.

OKLAHOMA CITY – BRANDON LEE RICHARDS, 36, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison for making a false statement to a bank and falsely representing a Social Security number, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

According to public records, on September 19, 2024, Richards purchased a vehicle from an Oklahoma City dealership. To complete the purchase, Richards—who had a history of financial fraud convictions—claimed to be another person on a credit application and used the victim’s Social Security number. On March 4, 2025, a federal grand jury charged Richards with making a false statement to a bank and falsely representing a Social Security number. Richards pleaded guilty on October 30, 2025, admitting he claimed to be another person when purchasing the vehicle and used that person’s Social Security number on a credit application.

At a sentencing hearing on April 28, 2026, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced Richards to serve 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Goodwin noted Richards’ previous financial fraud convictions and the seriousness of the offense.

Public records further reflect that Richards has a previous felony conviction in the Western District of Oklahoma for uttering and possessing counterfeited securities in case number CF-16-188, uttering forged instruments in Cleveland County District Court case number CF-2008-1278, attempting to obtain property under false pretenses in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2010-6286, and second-degree forgery in Oklahoma County District Court case numbers CF-2013-2233 and CF-2013-2122.     

This case is the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Krista Hodges-Eckhoff prosecuted the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.