Related Federal Cases
- Battle Creek Hotel Owner Mike Patel Indicted for Wage Fraud · Michigan
- Battle Creek Hotel Owner Mike Patel Pleads Guilty to Wage Fraud · Michigan
- Battle Creek Woman Gets 30 Years for Child Pornography · Michigan
- Battle Creek Felon Javon Jones Gets 10 Years for Gun & Chase · Michigan
- Steven Ingersoll Gets 41 Months for Charter School Tax Fraud · Michigan
Battle Creek Tax Fraud Mastermind Pleads Guilty
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Diallo Dotson, a former Battle Creek resident, has pleaded guilty to conspiring with Derrick J. Gibson to file false and fraudulent federal income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.
The scheme, which began in 2016, involved the use of personal identification information obtained from patients and employees of the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center and from inmates of the Michigan Department of Corrections to file false tax returns, claiming over $22 million in false and fraudulent federal income tax refunds.
The multi-year investigation, led by the Internal Revenue Service, Veterans Affairs – Office of the Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Department of Homeland Security, Battle Creek Police Department, Albion Police Department, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, and Michigan State Police, resulted in the federal charges against 34 defendants.
Of the 34 defendants, 33 have entered guilty pleas, with one defendant, Romell Bolden, being dismissed from the indictment when his mother, co-defendant Simone Watkins, admitted that she and Derrick Gibson filed the false federal income tax returns in his name.
The sentences handed down to the defendants include:
- Derrick J. Gibson: Plea of Guilty on August 16, 2016; sentenced on January 6, 2017 to 120 months in prison and restitution of $16,000,000
- Charmica Griffin: Plea of Guilty on October 4, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on February 8, 2017
- Stephanie T. Baker: Plea of Guilty on October 7, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on February 16, 2017
- Latia M. Williams: Plea of Guilty on November 18, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on April 13, 2017
- Alvin E. Stephenson II: Plea of Guilty on November 21, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on April 13, 2017
- Sandria M. Blakley: Plea of Guilty on November 29, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on April 20, 2017
- Edward Warden, Jr.: Plea of Guilty on May 4, 2016; sentenced on October 31, 2016, to 30 months in prison and restitution of $110,004
- Chanel McLennery: Plea of Guilty on December 7, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on April 27, 2017
- Darwin Gibson: Plea of Guilty on November 4, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on April 3, 2017
- Bobby Crabtree: Plea of Guilty on May 17, 2016; sentenced on October 11, 2016, to 30 months in prison consecutive to State sentences already being served and restitution of $24,205
- Deqynn Gibson: Plea of Guilty on October 26, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on March 7, 2017
- Darrien Gibson: Plea of Guilty on October 24, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on March 7, 2017
- Rochelle R. Velasquez: Plea of Guilty on July 11, 2016; sentenced on November 16, 2016, to 2 years of probation and restitution of $69,156
- Scherrie P. McNutt: Plea of Guilty on April 26, 2016; sentenced on October 11, 2016, to 18 months in prison and restitution of $188,398
- Devoine Gibson: Plea of Guilty on November 14, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on April 10, 2017
- Prentis H. Gibson: Plea of Guilty on October 11, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on February 16, 2017
- Lamont Joyner: Plea of Guilty on November 28, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on April 27, 2017
- Shameika N. Carr: Plea of Guilty on November 29, 2016; scheduled for sentencing on May 3, 2017
- Charleeta Cork: Plea of Guilty on December 8, 2016…
The investigation and prosecution of this case have been a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.
This case is a prime example of the devastating impact of tax fraud and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News