Florida Woman, Identity Theft Tax Fraud, Florida 2023

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Table of Contents

Florida Woman Sentenced for Identity Theft Tax Fraud Scheme

Tania Henderson, a Florida woman, has been sentenced to 144 months in prison for her role in leading an identity theft tax fraud scheme in 2012. Henderson was also ordered to repay the IRS $835,883 in restitution.

Henderson, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, stole the identities of more than 400 individuals, many of whom were deceased, and filed fraudulent tax returns using their names and social security account numbers. She pled guilty on April 29, 2013, to one count of theft of government funds and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

Between August and November 2012, Henderson filed 236 fraudulent tax returns from her home in Florida. Using a network of family and friends, she would collect refund checks or prepaid debit cards for the refund amounts and liquidate the proceeds of her scheme. Three of this network, Betty Kirkendoll, Patrina Taylor, and Jason Bibbs, have already been prosecuted and sentenced.

‘Stealing identities and filing false tax returns is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers,’ said Sybil Smith, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation. ‘Today’s sentence should serve as a strong warning to those who are considering similar conduct.’

Although Henderson filed tax returns calling for more than $1.8 million dollars, the IRS was able to intercept nearly $1,000,000 in refunds before they came into Henderson’s control.

Henderson’s husband, Dwayne Denard Johnson, also of Wesley Chapel, Florida, has been indicted for theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft and awaits trial in the Eastern District of Missouri. As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Mr. Johnson is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.