Marlan L. Copeland, Identity Theft Tax Refund Scheme, FL, 2023

MIAMI, FL – A brazen scheme to steal tax refunds using the identities of unsuspecting Americans has landed three South Florida residents in federal court, with one still on the run. Authorities allege Marlan L. Copeland, 42, and Vory V. Copeland, 40, both of Miramar, along with Brannoc K. Rudd, 71, of Miami Gardens, conspired to pocket over $300,000 in fraudulently obtained tax refund checks.

The eighteen-count indictment, unsealed today, details a calculated operation where the trio and their accomplices allegedly submitted bogus federal income tax returns to the U.S. Treasury using stolen social security numbers. Once the refund checks arrived, they were cashed or deposited into accounts controlled by the defendants, who then allegedly spent the money for their personal benefit. Marlan L. Copeland and Vory V. Copeland made initial appearances before United States Magistrate Judge Chris M. McAliley, while Brannoc K. Rudd remains at large, prompting a nationwide search.

The charges are serious. Each defendant faces one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. They are also charged with five counts of theft of government property (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 641), a damning accusation of directly stealing from taxpayers. Adding to the gravity, each defendant is facing eight counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1), a charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence.

Federal prosecutors aren’t stopping there. The indictment also includes one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1349) and three counts of wire fraud (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1343), alleging the defendants used interstate communications to facilitate their criminal enterprise. The scale of the alleged fraud—exceeding $300,000—suggests a sophisticated and organized operation, according to sources close to the investigation.

“This indictment demonstrates our commitment to aggressively pursue those who attempt to defraud the United States Treasury and steal the hard-earned money of American taxpayers,” stated Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. The investigation was a joint effort between the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), led by Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Gonzalez, and the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Paula Reid. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera R. Peoples is prosecuting the case.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, if convicted on all counts, the Copeland’s and Rudd could face significant prison time and hefty fines. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Brannoc K. Rudd is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals Service immediately. Details about the case can be found on the websites of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida (http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls) and the District Court for the Southern District of Florida (http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov).