FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – A Broward County court clerk has traded her badge for bars, sentenced to three years in federal prison for a brazen identity theft and tax fraud scheme. Porscha Kyles, 25, of Fort Lauderdale, received the sentence today after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. The scheme saw Kyles pilfering sensitive personal information while employed by the court system.
According to federal prosecutors, between October 2011 and February 2012, Kyles exploited her position as a clerk to access the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s DAVID database. This system contains a treasure trove of personal data, including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. Kyles wasn’t using this information for legitimate purposes; she was selling it.
Court documents reveal Kyles repeatedly searched the DAVID database, copying personal identity information and passing it to a co-conspirator in exchange for cash. The co-conspirator then used this stolen data to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, attempting to illegally obtain refunds. Kyles provided information on over one hundred individuals, turning a profit from the misery of identity theft victims.
“This defendant abused her position of trust for personal gain, putting countless individuals at risk of identity theft and financial harm,” stated Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Beyond the three-year prison sentence, Kyles will also serve two years of supervised release and is ordered to pay $57,328 in restitution to the victims of the scheme. The feds are sending a message: exploiting public office for criminal activity will not be tolerated.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Miami Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Steinbach – and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Gonzalez. Both agencies deserve credit for untangling this complex scheme and bringing Kyles to justice. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. For those seeking more information, a press release is available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Court documents can be found on the District Court for the Southern District of Florida’s website at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or through PACER at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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