Bakare Indicted in Stolen Identity Tax Fraud

MACON, GA – Shade Bakare, a resident of Columbus, Georgia, is facing federal charges after a grand jury indictment revealed her central role in a brazen stolen identity refund fraud scheme. The indictment, unsealed today, alleges Bakare cashed fraudulently obtained tax refund checks throughout 2013, lining her pockets at the expense of taxpayers and victims of identity theft.

According to court documents, Bakare acted as a key cog in a conspiracy involving multiple individuals, including alleged co-conspirators Tracy and Dameisha Mitchell. She allegedly exchanged fees for cashing tax refund checks obtained through illicit means. The indictment details how Bakare routinely endorsed these checks and cashed them at Big O’s Package Store in Columbus, Georgia, handing the proceeds – minus her cut – to Dameisha Mitchell and others involved in the operation.

The scheme wasn’t limited to simply cashing checks. Bakare allegedly went further, filing fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities. She obtained an Electronic Filing Identification Number from another co-conspirator, Danielle Wallace, and used it to submit false returns, directing the resulting refunds to financial institutions. Those refunds, issued as checks, were then cashed – often at Big O’s Package Store – continuing the cycle of fraud.

Federal investigators from the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service uncovered the scheme, building a case that led to the indictment. The Justice Department’s Tax Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia are jointly prosecuting the case, signaling a serious commitment to cracking down on this type of financial crime. Trial Attorney Michael C. Boteler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin Hyde are leading the prosecution.

While the indictment alleges criminal activity, it’s crucial to remember that Bakare is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, if convicted, she faces a hefty prison sentence. She could receive up to five years for the conspiracy charge, ten years for each count of theft of public funds, and a staggering twenty years for each wire fraud count. A mandatory minimum sentence of two years is attached to the aggravated identity theft charge.

Beyond potential imprisonment, Bakare also faces a period of supervised release following any sentence, as well as significant monetary penalties. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney G.F. Peterman III have both praised the investigative work and vowed continued vigilance against those who exploit stolen identities for financial gain. More information on the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on their website.