Vernon Man Accused of Kidnapping Son Charged With Making False Statements

A Vernon man accused of kidnapping his 21-month-old son in Canada 31 years ago has been charged with making false statements to hide his identity and receive federal benefits in the U.S.

Allan Mann, Jr. is accused of kidnapping his son, Jermaine, in June 1987 during a court-ordered visit in Toronto.

Authorities believe Mann took Jermaine and made his way into the U.S. He changed his name to Hailee Randolph DeSouza, changed his son's name, and got them both fake birth certificates, according to federal prosecutors.

Using a fake birth certificate, Mann applied for a Social Security Number in 1990, authorities said. Mann used his fake identity to take advantage of benefits including Section 8 housing and Connecticut Medicaid. During the application process for HUD's Section 8 program, Mann, a citizen of both Canada and Ghana, provided a birth certificate that stated he was born in Houston, Texas in 1957. The State of Texas determined the birth certificate was counterfeit, according to prosecutors.

Mann was found living in Section 8 subsidized housing in Vernon.

Authorities said HUD has paid tens of thousands of dollars in housing assistance payments for Mann over the years. Medicaid has also paid tens of thousands of dollars on Mann's behalf.

A seven-count indictment charges Mann with four counts of making a false statement, and three counts of making a false statement in a healthcare matter. Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Mann has been in custody since Oct. 26, 2018.

After being tried on the U.S. charges, Mann will be extradited to Canada to face prosecution for the alleged kidnapping.

Jermaine and his mother, Lyneth Mann-Lewis, were reunited last month after 31 years apart. The family has asked for privacy.