Additional criminal charges have been filed against a former employee at the Phoenix Rescue Mission accused of stealing social security benefits from the homeless. A State Grand jury indicted Sergio Solorzano on three additional felony charges of Fraudulent Schemes & Artifices, Theft, and Taking the Identity of Another.
The Attorney General’s Office learned of two more victims after Solorzano’s arrest in January 2016, bringing the total number of victims to three.
From February 2012 to October 2015, Solorzano allegedly stole approximately $80,000 in benefits from three different victims while they lived at the Phoenix Rescue Mission (PRM). Social Security Administration (SSA) would mail checks or pre-loaded debit cards to the benefit recipient. Solorzano, as part of his duties at PRM, received all of the mail which gave him access and the ability to steal the checks and pre-loaded debit cards from the victims.
Solorzano is accused of using some of the stolen benefits to pay for his $4,994 Qwest Communications bill and his $5,968 Century Link bill. Solorzano worked at the PRM since 2002 and had access to all personal identifying information of all the residents living at PRM.
An ongoing investigation into Solorzano continues. He is currently in custody with a $25,000 secured bond and an ICE hold.
All defendants are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.