October 28, 2025: Man Charged with Stealing 22 Identities and Nearly $150,000 in Public Benefits from LA County

Sam Shahbazi faces 32 years, 8 months in state prison if convicted as charged

LOS ANGELES - A 38-year-old man from Sacramento County has been charged with 22 counts each of identity theft and grand theft for stealing approximately $150,000 in Los Angeles County public benefits using the names and social security numbers of 22 victims.

"Stealing public benefits is a cowardly crime against those most vulnerable," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. "Prosecutors in our Public Assistance Fraud Division work every day to fight for victims and root out fraud. Know this: If you steal public benefits in Los Angeles County, your transactions will be traced, you will be investigated and you will face criminal consequences."

Sam Shahbazi (dob 12/2/87) of Citrus Heights, Calif., is charged in case 25CJCF06378 with 22 felony counts of grand theft from Los Angeles County and 22 felony counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information. A sentencing enhancement was also filed alleging that the offenses were part of a pattern of related felony fraud involving the taking and loss of more than $100,000.

From March 2021 to October 2023, Shahbazi allegedly applied for and received approximately $146,474 in public assistance benefits from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services using false identifications with the names and social security numbers of 22 victims. He allegedly used fraudulent Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to make cash withdrawals from Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Chase Bank, and U.S. Bank at multiple locations throughout California. The EBT cards with stolen benefits were also allegedly used to make purchases from Costco and Whole Foods.

The case was filed for warrant on Sept. 30. The Court issued an arrest warrant on Oct. 1. Shahbazi was arraigned on Oct. 27 and pleaded not guilty. The Court set bail at $2.275 million per prosecutors' request. A preliminary hearing and bail review is set for Nov. 7 in Department 38 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

If convicted as charged, Shahbazi faces a maximum sentence of 32 years and eight months in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jessica Palasik of the Public Assistance Fraud Division. The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, Welfare Fraud Prevention & Investigation Section.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.