NEW ORLEANS — A local man faces 20 years in prison after authorities said he impersonated his deceased father-in-law in an attempt to secure illegal credit card and social security money.

Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Daryl Alex, 51, of LaPlace pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, Alex and his wife, Shawanda Nevers, conspired to enrich themselves by using and attempting to use bank accounts and credit cards issued in the name of Nevers’ deceased father and to steal funds and obtain property to which they were not entitled. 

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, after Nevers’ father’s death, Alex placed a telephone call to a credit card company claiming to be Nevers’ father.

Alex told the credit card company he lost his credit card and asked that a replacement card be mailed to his new address in LaPlace.

Alex also made purchases with bad checks drawn on the bank account of Nevers’ father, using Social Security Administration funds that were deposited after the father’s death, authorities said.

Alex faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Alex also faces monetary penalties and restitution.   

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for Dec. 7.

Evans commended Special Agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the United States Secret Service, New Orleans Field Office for investigating this matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hayden Brockett and Mimi Nguyen, and trial attorney Grace Albinson of the Department of Justice, Tax Division, are in charge of the prosecution.