Baltimore County Woman Sentenced to 38 Months for Impersonating Nurses and Identity Theft

A Baltimore County woman has been sentenced to 38 months in federal prison for her role in a scheme involving the impersonation of nurses and aggravated identity theft, according to information released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Thomasina E. Amponsah, 51, was found to have used stolen nursing credentials to gain employment as a registered nurse and licensed practical nurse, despite never holding a nursing license or qualification herself. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

The investigation revealed that from approximately September 2019 to August 2023, Amponsah employed stolen nursing credentials along with fabricated educational and professional histories. This allowed her to secure healthcare positions, posing as a licensed nurse, at over 40 different facilities across Maryland. Many of these locations were skilled nursing facilities that provided rehabilitation and medical treatment, while others included a public school in Baltimore City and multiple nursing homes. During this period, Amponsah reportedly earned more than $145,000 in wages based on her fraudulent credentials.

One instance detailed in the plea agreement involved Amponsah submitting a job application to a nursing facility in August 2019. On this application, she used a Maryland nursing license number belonging to an individual identified as Identity Victim T.R.S., and also presented a copied image of that victim’s license. Furthermore, Amponsah altered her name to include the last name of T.R.S. and falsely claimed supervisory experience as an LPN and a nursing degree from Florida State University, neither of which was true. Following this fraudulent application, she was hired as an LPN by the facility. Her employment was terminated after she admitted to forging a physician’s signature to obtain a prescription for Tramadol, an opioid painkiller, and submitting it to a pharmacy.

Amponsah also admitted to using a second stolen identity to secure nursing roles. In July 2021, she applied to a staffing agency, using a Florida nursing license number belonging to another individual, Identity Victim E.A., along with a duplicated image of E.A.’s license and a fabricated resume. This allowed her to work at numerous skilled nursing facilities. Between July 2021 and October 2022, Amponsah was employed at at least 21 different facilities through this staffing agency. During her employment at a specific nursing facility in October 2022, Amponsah allegedly failed to administer prescribed medications to several patients and falsified medical records. Despite being confronted and ultimately terminated by both the staffing agency and the nursing facility for working as an unlicensed nurse, Amponsah continued to apply for and accept employment as a licensed nurse using the stolen identities of T.R.S. and E.A. until August 2023.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for their investigative efforts. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Wenner and Sean R. Delaney, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Phelps and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland.

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