A former New Castle resident was sentenced in a federal court on a charge of fraud according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney, Stephen R. Kaufman on Tuesday.

According to the Department of Justice, Tylan Huddleston (24) was sentenced to six months of incarceration followed by two years of supervised release by United States District Judge, David Cercone.

In March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law, providing unemployment benefits to individuals who are ineligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits.

It also provided an emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits of $600 per week.

According to information provided to the court, Huddleston conspired with another individual to commit mail fraud in order to obtain $13,905 in connection with pandemic unemployment assistant benefits while he was incarcerated awaiting trial on state charges.

"Tylan Huddleston conspired to defraud the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by having his co-conspirator fraudulently file for unemployment benefits on his behalf while Huddleston was incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail," said Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philideliphia Region U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

"The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and our law enforcement partners, to safeguard the integrity of all unemployment assistance programs," Scott said.

Assistant United States Attorney, Johnathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.