Bonnie Sue Fleenor, Identity Theft and Tax Fraud, Kentucky 2023

A brazen scheme to steal the identities of Tennessee state prison inmates and file false federal income tax returns has come to a close with the sentencing of 33-year-old Bonnie Sue Fleenor to three years in federal prison.

The Lexington, Kentucky, sentencing comes after Fleenor was previously found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. In a stunning display of audacity, Fleenor and her co-conspirators stole the identifying information of hundreds of inmates to file false tax returns and fraudulently obtain tax refunds.

According to testimony at her trial, Fleenor handled the fraudulently obtained tax refund checks, supplied forged power-of-attorney forms, and provided other assistance to her co-conspirators, who cashed the checks and distributed the proceeds. This illicit scheme netted over $3.2 million in tax refunds between November 2008 and June 2013.

Fleenor’s co-conspirators have been brought to justice, with 12 others convicted and sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. Adam Alloway received a 60-month sentence, Gregory Hedges was sentenced to 48 months, and David Hedges also received 48 months. Teresa Rogers received 42 months, Ira Lingo was sentenced to 30 months, Linda Ward to 21 months, Amanda Hall to 16 months, Joyce Bickers to 12 months, and Sara Lingerfelt to 6 months.

The investigation into the scheme was led by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew T. Boone and Kathryn M. Anderson prosecuted the case on behalf of the federal government.

Bonnie Sue Fleenor, 33, of Kingsport, Tennessee, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The scheme, which involved the identities of hundreds of Tennessee state prison inmates, netted over $3.2 million in tax refunds between 2008 and 2013.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/Respondent name: Bonnie Sue Fleenor, Criminal charges: conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, City and State: Lexington, Kentucky, Sentencing date: not specified, Sentence: three years in federal prison, Dollar amounts: over $3.2 million in tax refunds.

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