Two defendants have been charged via criminal complaint for their roles in separate frauds related to Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards. The first complaint charges Bethann Kierczak, 37, of Southgate with theft of government property and theft or embezzlement related to a healthcare benefit program. Kierczak, a registered nurse, was arrested September 29. According to the complaint, Kierczak is responsible for stealing or embezzling authentic Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards from the VA hospital—along with vaccine lot numbers necessary to make the cards appear legitimate—and then reselling those cards and information to individuals within the metro Detroit community. The complaint alleges that Kierczak’s theft of Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards began at least as early as May of this year and continued until the present. It is further alleged that Kierczak sold the cards for $150-$200 each and communicated with buyers primarily via Facebook Messenger.
The second complaint charges Rapheal Jarrell Smiley, 32, of Detroit with fraud involving department or agency seals, identity document fraud, and trafficking in counterfeit goods. Smiley was also arrested September 29. According to the complaint, Smiley is responsible for conducting an ongoing scheme to import and sell or otherwise distribute fraudulent Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards. It is alleged that Smiley ordered the cards from two shippers in China, both of which have been previously identified by law enforcement as importers of fraudulent Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards. Further, the complaint alleges that Smiley advertised the cards for sale via his Facebook and Instagram accounts.
