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Ex-Officer, Thieves Sentenced in ID Theft Scheme
A former Miami-Dade correctional officer and his accomplices have been sentenced for their roles in a brazen identity theft scheme that netted them thousands of dollars in stolen tax refunds.
Anthony A. Pace, Jr., 29, was sentenced to 81 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay joint restitution of $62,683 along with co-defendant Rosa Johnson. Pace was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the government, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft.
Pace’s accomplices, Brandon A. Terry, 29, Derel L. Henry, 39, and Rosa Johnson, 26, all received prison sentences as well. Terry was sentenced to 60 months in prison and ordered to pay $19,674 in restitution. Henry received 40 months in prison and was ordered to pay $24,489 in restitution. Johnson was sentenced to one year and a day in prison and was also ordered to pay joint restitution of $62,683.
The scheme involved filing 176 false and fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities of former and current Miami-Dade County prisoners, among other stolen identities. The refunds were deposited into bank accounts controlled by Pace and Johnson. Court documents also revealed that Henry filed 48 false and fraudulent tax returns and Terry filed 38 fraudulent returns.
During a search of Henry’s apartment, agents found a computer with multiple .JPEGs containing the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of 243 individuals. In Terry’s apartment, agents found a spreadsheet with personal identity information, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of hundreds of victims. Both Henry and Terry admitted to filing false and fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities.
The investigation was a joint effort between the United States Attorney’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting one’s identity and the consequences of engaging in such crimes.
The defendants’ prison sentences are a testament to the severity of the crimes they committed. The Grimy Times urges citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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