National Fraud Enforcement Division Obtains Guilty Plea of Pensacola Postal Worker for PPP Loan Fraud

Pensacola, Florida - Dominique J. Stanberry, 33, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of wire fraud involving Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds. This prosecution was part of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud launched by President Donald J. Trump, a whole-of-government effort to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "We saw unprecedented levels of fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic by scammers, like this defendant, who sought to enrich themselves by ripping off the American taxpayer, but my office will tirelessly pursue those fraudsters to make them pay for their crimes. Anyone in the Northern District of Florida who abuses or defrauds a Federal benefit program should be on notice: my office is coming for you."

Court documents reflect that in 2021, the defendant, while working full time as a United States Postal Service employee, caused to be submitted a fraudulent online application for a PPP loan that falsely claimed she was self-employed with a business that lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of her fraud, the defendant received $20,833 in PPP loan funds to which she was not entitled.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is 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.

Stanberry faces up to 20 years' imprisonment on each count. As part of her plea agreement, Stanberry has agreed to forfeit any forfeitable assets and to pay restitution.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Alicia H. Forbes and Thomas S.P. Geeker are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division's prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.