A Mobile man who engaged in widespread fraud that scammed the government and others to the tune of $8 million was sentenced Thursday to more than 19 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

Kartarius Dewan Johnson, also known as Tareeq Akhil Anad, 42, was convicted of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements to the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.

In perpetrating the fraud, Johnson used language used by “sovereign citizens,” or people who believe they are exempt from U.S. law, said Sean Costello, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.

Between March 2020 and January 2021, Johnson contracted with third parties, including car dealerships in Mobile, Beverly Hills, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona to purchase Rolls-Royces and Mercedes-Benzes, prosecutors said.

Johnson also entered an agreement to buy a $4 million home in Daphne along Mobile Bay.

He did not have the money to legitimately buy the cars or house, prosecutors said.

The Mobile man also tried to fraudulently obtain SBA money for COVID-19 relief and lied to the SSA about his U.S. citizenship while applying for a new Social Security card by citing his membership in a fake tribe that is not recognized by the government.

Between 2015 and 2018, Johnson improperly received more than $800,000 in federal tax credits for purported biodiesel fuel usage.

But instead of spending the money on the fuel, Johnson used the funds on personal expenses like a private jet membership, clothing, jewelry, card, vacations and child support payments.

U.S. District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Johnson to 231 months, or 19 years and three months, in federal prison.

Moorer also ordered Johnson to serve five years of supervised release after finishing the prison term. Johnson will have to undergo drug testing and treatment and receive a mental health evaluation and treatment. He will also have his credit restricted.

Johnson will also have to pay $310 in restitution and $1,600 in special assessments.