A man who collected the personal information of his fellow jail detainees as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain state benefits and stimulus checks was sentenced March 4 to two years and seven months in federal prison.

Demetrius Montre McFarland, 31, of San Diego collected personal information from other detainees while he was in custody and gave it to his wife at the time, Alexandra Crystal Jackson, 32, also of San Diego, a co-defendant in the case.

Jackson also obtained and used the personal information from homeless and low-income individuals to commit the fraud, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Jackson fraudulently used around 40 Employment Development Department debit cards to purchase thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and furniture, as well as to cover part of a $60,000 down payment for a Mercedes-Benz-G-Class 550 SUV that she purchased under a false name.

Jackson also obtained Economic Impact Payments from the IRS with the personal information the couple collected from their victims, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Both McFarland and Jackson pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.

Jackson was sentenced in December 2023 to two years and seven months in prison.