Anthony Robinson, Fraud & Identity Theft, Jacksonville FL, 2022

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Anthony Jermaine Robinson, 31, of Covington, Georgia, is facing a mountain of federal charges after being indicted for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, five counts of false representation of a Social Security number (SSN), and five counts of aggravated identity theft. The indictment, unsealed today, alleges a sophisticated scheme to defraud multiple victims by exploiting their personal information.

Robinson, already serving time in Georgia State Prison for a prior fraud-related parole violation, was brought to Jacksonville to face these new charges. He was ordered detained pending trial, scheduled for January 2023. His alleged accomplice, Kiana Fina Alphonse, 28, also of Covington, Georgia, appeared in federal court on September 27, 2022, and is slated for trial in February 2023.

Federal prosecutors claim Robinson and Alphonse worked together to steal the personally identifiable information (PII) of numerous victims. They then allegedly procured counterfeit driver licenses – originating from Washington state and Delaware – that bore the victims’ PII but featured a photograph of Alphonse. This allowed Alphonse to pose as the account holder when opening business bank accounts in the victims’ names.

The indictment details how these fraudulently opened accounts were then used to funnel illicit proceeds, enriching both Robinson and Alphonse, and potentially others involved in the scheme. The scale of the operation suggests a well-planned and executed effort to systematically exploit vulnerable individuals. If convicted on all counts, Robinson could face up to 30 years in federal prison for each bank fraud and conspiracy charge, alongside a mandatory minimum of two years for each aggravated identity theft count. He also faces up to five years imprisonment for each false SSN representation charge, and will be required to pay restitution to the defrauded victims.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service’s Jacksonville Field Office, uncovered the complex web of deceit. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that an indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case highlights the ever-present threat of identity theft and financial fraud, and the Secret Service’s continued commitment to dismantling these criminal enterprises. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or arrests. The victims, whose identities remain confidential, are now facing the arduous task of repairing their financial standing after being targeted by this predatory duo.

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