Saint Paul woman Ebony Shante Yarbrough, 28, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for orchestrating a widespread tax fraud scheme using stolen identities, the Department of Justice announced. Yarbrough pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis on August 12, 2016, before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.
Between 2013 and 2015, Yarbrough preyed on friends and family, convincing them she could file their state and federal tax returns cheaper than professional services. Instead, she weaponized their personal information, fabricating Schedule C income under false professions like ‘hair stylist,’ ‘cleaner,’ and ‘exotic dancer’ to inflate refunds.
But the fraud ran deeper. Yarbrough attached stolen identities of minors as dependents on the returns, unlocking additional tax credits. These fabricated claims totaled more than $500,000 in fraudulent state and federal filings. Authorities confirmed she personally profited from the scam while leaving victims exposed to financial and legal fallout.
The IRS Criminal Investigation Division led the probe, uncovering a pattern of deception that spanned multiple tax seasons. The Minnesota Department of Revenue provided critical support, helping trace false filings and verify the scale of the damage across state systems.
“Tax season is almost here and the sentencing of Ebony Yarbrough for filing false tax returns is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you decide to steal from honest taxpayers,” said Shea Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS St. Paul Field Office. “Through our partnership with the US Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Special Agents will continue the aggressive pursuit of those who would attempt to defraud America’s tax system.”
Yarbrough was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Svendsen. In addition to her 24-month prison sentence, she was ordered to pay $298,054.01 in restitution. The case stands as a stark warning against exploiting the tax code through identity theft—a crime that hits every American taxpayer in the wallet.
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Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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