A Louisiana man has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 unemployment benefits while already incarcerated in Mississippi, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Department of Justice. Travis Thorn, 45, of Monroe, Louisiana, admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud, a crime that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
The case highlights the widespread fraud that plagued pandemic-era unemployment programs, prompting a robust response from federal authorities. Thorn’s scheme involved submitting false claims to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security with the help of an accomplice, despite being ineligible for benefits due to his imprisonment with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Some of the fraudulently obtained funds were reportedly deposited into Thorn’s prison commissary account, according to court documents.
The illicit benefits were funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal pandemic relief law enacted in March 2020. The CARES Act expanded unemployment eligibility and provided emergency financial assistance to those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The Department of Justice has made combating fraud related to these programs a priority.
Fraudulent Claims While Incarcerated
Thorn pleaded guilty on February 25, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge. He was initially indicted by a federal grand jury last March, according to the Department of Justice. The investigation revealed that Thorn collaborated with another individual to file the fraudulent claims, exploiting the expanded unemployment benefits available during the pandemic. The specifics of the accomplice’s involvement have not been publicly disclosed.
As an inmate, Thorn was ineligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. The scheme underscores the challenges faced by states in verifying the identity and eligibility of unemployment claimants during a period of unprecedented demand on the system. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security, like many state agencies, struggled to process the surge in applications and prevent fraudulent claims.
Part of a Larger Federal Effort
The prosecution of Thorn is part of the Department of Justice’s National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force, a multi-agency initiative established to combat widespread fraud in pandemic-era unemployment programs. The task force brings together federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and state partners to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The Department of Justice has emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who exploited the system for personal gain.
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, and Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Region. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie leading the prosecution.
Prior Criminal History
At the time of the alleged unemployment fraud, Thorn was already serving a state prison sentence for burglary and aggravated assault. He was later released on probation, but the details of his current status are not immediately available. His prior convictions played a role in the sentencing considerations for the current federal charges.
Sentencing and Next Steps
Thorn faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. However, the actual sentence will be determined by a U.S. District Court judge after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Thorn’s sentencing is currently scheduled for July 17, 2026. The judge will weigh the severity of the offense, Thorn’s criminal history, and other relevant factors in determining an appropriate punishment.
This case serves as a reminder of the financial toll of unemployment fraud during the pandemic. The National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force continues to investigate and prosecute similar cases across the country, seeking to recover stolen funds and hold perpetrators accountable. The Department of Justice remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring the integrity of unemployment insurance programs.
If you have information about unemployment insurance fraud, you can report it to the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General at https://oig.dol.gov/ or to your state’s unemployment agency.
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