Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

RICHMOND, Va. – A Henrico man was sentenced today to four years in prison for stealing the identity of a deceased child, stealing approximately $33,000 from his employer, and unlawfully purchasing a firearm. 

According to court documents, in 2013, Shawn D. Gover, 47, changed his name to Aaron Garth Roberts, who was a born in 1974 in Denton, Texas, but died as a young child. In an attempt to hide a previous felony conviction, Gover also stole the social security number and date of birth of Roberts.

In March 2016, using the personal identifying information of Roberts, Gover was hired as the Director of Finance for the Independence Golf Club in Powhatan. In that position, he had control over financial records, including the operating account checkbook and corporate credit card. From the fall of 2016 to the summer of 2017, Gover stole approximately $33,557 from Independence Golf Club.

Additionally, on Nov. 13, 2016, using the name, social security number and date of birth of Roberts, Gover purchased a Sig Sauer .45 semiautomatic pistol. Having been previously convicted of felony Grand Theft and sentenced to 16 months in prison, Gover was prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm.

Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Brian J. Ebert, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, and Thomas L. Chittum, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Maguire prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:17-cr-133.