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Stealing IDs and U.S. Treasury Checks
OAKLAND – In a shocking case of identity theft, El Cerrito resident Brandon Robinson, 35, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and conspiring to steal government funds.
According to the plea agreement, Robinson conspired to steal the names of deceased individuals and use them to file federal tax returns seeking refunds. He paid cashiers at stores in the Richmond-area to cash the fraudulently obtained refund checks.
Robinson also cashed stolen tax refund and social security benefit checks that were intended for other individuals. The scope of his crime is staggering, with Robinson and his co-conspirators attempting to cash more than $500,000 in fraudulently obtained and stolen checks.
The investigation into Robinson’s activities was conducted by special agents of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Newman and Jose A. Olivera, and Trial Attorney Gregory Bernstein of the Tax Division, are prosecuting the case.
Robinson faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft count. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
The court has scheduled sentencing for May 23, 2017. As the case unfolds, it’s clear that Robinson’s actions have caused significant harm to innocent individuals, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting against identity theft and financial crimes.
U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg commended the agents and prosecutors involved in the case for their tireless efforts in bringing Robinson to justice.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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