Former NFL large receiver Kenbrell Thompkins has pleaded responsible to a scheme by which he used stolen identities as a way to fraudulently acquire cash from the COVID Help, Reduction and Financial Safety Act. In line with a report by Ethan Sears of the New York Submit, Thompkins pled responsible to 1 rely of unauthorized entry machine fraud and one rely of aggravated id fraud.

In line with court docket information, Thompkins allegedly used stolen identities of residents of the state of Florida to use for COVID unemployment advantages from the state of California. In consequence, Thompkins was despatched roughly $300,000 in debit playing cards to South Florida addresses that he arrange, $230,000 of which he withdrew at varied ATMs in Miami-Dade County. Thompkins’ sentencing is scheduled for January 6, and he faces as much as 12 years in jail.

Thompkins had in depth authorized troubles rising up in Miami. Thompkins was arrested seven occasions earlier than he turned 19 years previous, together with on armed theft costs that resulted in hello expulsion from Northwestern Excessive Faculty.

A former undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, Thompkins spent three seasons within the NFL cut up between the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, and New York Jets. Thompkins’ greatest work got here as a rookie with the Patriots in 2013, when he caught 32 passes for 466 yards and 4 touchdowns with a median of 14.6 yards per reception. Thompkins’ most interesting second got here in Week 6 of that season, when he caught the game-winning landing towards the New Orleans Saints with 5 seconds left to play.

Thompkins later completed his NFL profession with 70 receptions for 893 yards and 4 TDs, and final performed professionally for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Soccer League in 2018. In his lone CFL season, Thompkins caught 29 passes for 421 yards and a single landing.

Thompkins is the cousin of Tampa Bay Buccaneers large receiver Antonio Brown, and can be the older brother of Area Soccer League large receiver Kendal Thompkins.