Elbert Johnson, Identity Theft, Indiana 2018

CROWN POINT, IN – Elbert Johnson, a 40-year-old resident of Crown Point, Indiana, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 61 months for a brazen identity theft and tax fraud scheme. Judge James T. Moody delivered the sentence on January 18, 2018, in Hammond, also ordering Johnson to serve two years of supervised release and pay a staggering $551,647 in restitution.

The scheme, uncovered by a multi-agency task force, involved the filing of false federal and state tax returns using the stolen personal information of incarcerated individuals. Johnson didn’t just skim a few names; he systematically harvested identities – names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers – from inmates across the country, all without their knowledge or consent. It was a cold, calculated operation designed to line his pockets at the expense of taxpayers and vulnerable individuals.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Johnson pled guilty to a quartet of serious charges: conspiracy to commit identity theft, filing of false claims, aggravated identity theft, and filing a false tax return. The gravity of the charges reflects the scope and audacity of the fraud. Aggravated identity theft, in particular, carries a mandatory minimum sentence, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to cracking down on this type of crime.

The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The U.S. Secret Service partnered with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General to untangle the web of deceit. Assistant United States Attorney Toi Denise Houston skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting a compelling case that led to Johnson’s conviction and subsequent sentencing.

The $551,647 in restitution ordered by Judge Moody will be split between the Internal Revenue Service and the Indiana Department of Revenue, attempting to recoup some of the financial damage caused by Johnson’s actions. While restitution is a step towards accountability, it doesn’t fully compensate for the violation of privacy and the disruption caused to the victims – the inmates whose identities were stolen and exploited.

This case serves as a stark reminder that identity theft is not a victimless crime. It’s a serious federal offense with severe consequences, and law enforcement agencies are increasingly focused on dismantling these schemes. The collaborative effort that brought Elbert Johnson to justice demonstrates the power of interagency cooperation in combating financial crime and protecting the integrity of the tax system. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana continues to pursue similar cases, vowing to hold perpetrators accountable.

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