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Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft Scheme
Orlando, Florida – In a shocking case of identity theft, three individuals have been sentenced to prison for stealing the identities of over 2,200 patients at the Orange County Health Department (OCHD) in Florida.
Delray Duncan, Gerald Williams, and Shanterica Smith were sentenced to 42 months, 54 months, and 60 months in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in the identity theft scheme. In addition to their prison sentences, the defendants were ordered to pay $1 million in restitution to the victims.
According to court documents, the investigation began after the Orange County Sheriff’s Office executed an unrelated search warrant and discovered a list of names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. Further investigation revealed that Williams and Smith accessed personal identifying information (PII) of OCHD patients and provided that information to a third party who filed fraudulent tax returns in the names of those patients.
The investigation revealed that Williams and Smith worked together to provide the PII to a third party, who then filed fraudulent tax returns in the names of the patients. Duncan, who was involved in the scheme, provided the PII to others in order to file the fraudulent tax returns. Smith, on the other hand, provided the PII directly to those responsible for filing the fraudulent tax returns.
It is estimated that the defendants stole the identities of approximately 2,200 patients, resulting in fraudulent tax returns totaling approximately $3.9 million. The investigation into those responsible for filing the fraudulent tax returns and those who obtained the proceeds from the fraudulently filed returns is ongoing.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.
The sentenced defendants are a stark reminder of the consequences of identity theft and the importance of protecting personal identifying information. As the investigation continues, it is clear that the impact of this scheme will be felt for years to come.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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