Four Chester and Upper Darby residents charged in disability benefits fraud

Chester, Pa., is home to three of the four people charged with exploiting two intellectually disabled women. United States Attorney David Metcalf announced on Wednesday that Michael Swanson, 43, David Dziobczynski, 54, and Caitlyn Eusden Swanson, 26, face federal charges.

Nicole Swanson, 39, of Upper Darby, Pa., is the fourth defendant. All four are accused of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. The indictment alleges the group stole Social Security Administration and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from the victims.

The scheme began when Michael Swanson and Nicole Swanson lured the women to live with them as a family. They moved the victims into a home in Chester owned by Dziobczynski. Court documents state the men and women engaged in illegal sexual acts with the victims, who lacked the capacity to consent.

Investigators say the group used several methods to maintain control. They subjected the women to verbal and physical abuse. They also restricted food access and isolated the victims from their loved ones. The defendants allegedly used children to monitor the women's behavior.

Caitlyn Eusden Swanson is in a relationship with Michael Swanson. Nicole Swanson is Michael Swanson's ex-wife. Prosecutors say Nicole encouraged the victims to have sexual relationships with Michael and engaged in sexual acts with them herself.

The three Swanson defendants also face charges for conspiracy to commit kidnapping and two counts of kidnapping. These charges relate to moving the victims from Pennsylvania to Florida. Officials say the trip was an attempt to gain financial benefit and engage in illegal sexual acts.

Michael Swanson and Dziobczynski also targeted a social worker assigned to Swanson's children. The indictment alleges they repeatedly filed meritless complaints against her supervisor and threatened the caseworker to get her reassigned. Three defendants made initial appearances in federal court in Philadelphia on Oct. 14. Dziobczynski appeared the next day.