Brandon Morrison, Identity Theft, Pennsylvania 2011

A New York man has been charged with identity theft and a tax scheme in Pennsylvania, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

Brandon Morrison, 25, of New York City, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with five counts of wire fraud, five counts of making a false claim against the United States, and four counts of identity theft.

The indictment alleges that from January 2011 to May 2011, Morrison sold the stolen identities of a number of people for use in fraudulently prepared tax returns which directed that the tax refund checks be deposited to bank accounts opened and controlled by a co-conspirator.

According to the indictment, if convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 145 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $3,500,000 fine, and a special assessment of $1,400.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurie Magid.

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charges against Morrison are punishable under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343, 7201, 7206(1), and 1028(a)(7).

Brandon Morrison is currently a defendant in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He was arraigned on the indictment on May 18, 2011.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/new-york-man-charged-identity-theft-and-tax-scheme