The former boyfriend of Venika Williams, the Newark woman who’s been missing more than five years, accessed her personal information and within days began embezzling benefit payments meant for her disabled son, according to federal authorities.
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Venika Williams boyfriend charged for fraud scheme
Authorities say Asmar Earp, 37, was in a romantic relationship and shared a house with Williams.
Williams received monthly payments on behalf of her disabled minor son. Earp is accused of changing the pin code on the benefits debit card belonging to Williams less than a week after she was reported missing in December 2017, authorities said.
A few months later, he used Williams’s name, date of birth and Social Security number to receive a replacement debit card to continue accessing and using the benefits, Sellinger said.
This crime continued for more than two full years, through February 2020, authorities said.
Williams has been missing since 2017
Newark police has been seeking the public’s help in locating Venika, who they said was last seen on December 24, 2017 heading to Jersey City. A $5,000 reward has been offered.
Asmar Earp has been arrested and charged
Earp has a lengthy criminal history that stretches back more 15 years in multiple counties in New Jersey, with charges that include drug distribution, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property and prowling, records show.
Earp had initially created social media groups, including “Help Find Venika” on Facebook, after Williams went missing. But those posts ended quickly, however.
Asmar Earp has been arrested
Earp has been charged with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Each count of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Each count of aggravated identity theft is punishable by a sentence of two years in prison, at least one of which must be served consecutive to any other term imposed, and a maximum of $250,000.
