A Kentucky man’s elaborate plot to fake his own death and escape his child support obligations has landed him in federal prison.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert Wier sentenced Jesse Kipf, 39, of Somerset, to 81 months behind bars following a plea agreement for computer fraud and aggravated identity theft. Kipf had a previous record of criminal history and had been described by his attorney as a troubled Iraq war veteran.
Kipf’s Cyber Scheme to Dodge Child Support
Kipf’s scheme began in January 2023, when he hacked into the Hawaii Death Registry System using a stolen username and password. He created a fake death certificate, listing himself as the medical certifier and using a doctor’s digital signature. This malicious act resulted in Kipf being registered as a deceased person in numerous government databases.
But Kipf’s crimes went beyond faking his own death. He also infiltrated other states’ death registry systems, private business networks, and governmental and corporate networks, using stolen credentials. He then attempted to sell access to these networks on the dark web, an underground internet platform notorious for illicit activities.
Kipf’s actions were motivated, in part, by a desire to avoid paying his outstanding child support obligations. According to court documents, he owed over $116,000 to his daughter and her mother. By faking his own death, Kipf hoped to escape his financial responsibilities.
“This scheme was a cynical and destructive effort, based in part on the inexcusable goal of avoiding his child support obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV.
Troubling Criminal History and Consequences
Kipf’s sentencing memo painted a picture of a serial offender with a concerning criminal history. In 2010, he was convicted in Nebraska on charges that included criminal possession of financial transaction devices. He also has pending charges in Kentucky related to using stolen credit card information to pay for food deliveries.
According to his attorney, Tommy Miceli, Kipf’s criminal behavior stemmed from a struggle with drug addiction that worsened after his military service in the Iraq War from 2007-2008. Miceli argued this history should be taken into account, but the judge ultimately sided with prosecutors’ recommendation of an 81-month sentence.
In a joint statement, law enforcement officials said Kipf’s case serves as a stark reminder of the damage that can be done by criminals exploiting technology.
“Working in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, this defendant who hacked a variety of computer systems and maliciously stole the identity of others for his own personal gain, will now pay the price,” said Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Louisville Field Office.
The investigation into Kipf’s crimes was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, the Department of the Attorney General in Hawaii, and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf led the prosecution, focusing on Kipf’s concerning criminal history and his “classic recidivist profile.”
Along with the 81 months in prison, Kipf’s sentence, which he will serve 85% of, includes three years of supervised release. He must also pay $195,758.65 to cover the damages to government and corporate computer systems, as well as his outstanding child support obligations.
Earlier in 2022, after six years of being on the run, an Iowa man who had faked his own death and removed his ankle monitor had been found and arrested over a thousand miles away from his grandmother’s home. The individual had been wanted by authorities for trial on charges associated with child sexual abuse imagery.
According to nydefensecouncil.com, there are no specific laws against faking one’s own death within the United States. However, individuals and those involved in aiding such schemes could potentially face charges of identity theft, life insurance fraud, tax evasion, conspiracy and false reporting.