PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Two Letcher County residents have been indicted in federal court for allegedly obtaining stimulus funds by fraud.

Madison Balo, 27, and Kyler Sullivan, 21, both of Jenkins, are charged with theft of government money, identity theft conspiracy, and wire fraud. While Sullivan is only charged with one count of wire fraud for filing for a 10-thousand dollar advance on a business loan, Balo is charged with seven counts for filing multiple applications requesting $10,000 each time.

They are accused of taking a $1,200 stimulus payment that was intended for someone else, as well as filing fraudulent applications for pandemic-related business loans.

If convicted they face potential prison sentences of up to 10 years for the theft charge, 15 years for the identity theft charge, and 20 years for the wire fraud charges, as well as restitution.