A federal jury in Tampa, Florida, has found Freddie Wilson (40, Temple Terrace) guilty of six counts of theft of government funds, five counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of money laundering, and one count of obstruction of justice.
Wilson faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison on each count of theft of government funds, two years’ consecutive imprisonment on each count of aggravated identity theft, ten years’ imprisonment for money laundering, and five years’ imprisonment for obstruction of justice.
Wilson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2013. He was indicted on April 23, 2013.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Wilson was a licensed bail bondsman who operated ‘Against All Odds Bail Bonds, Inc.’ (AAO) in Tampa.
In June 2012, he opened an account in the name of AAO at a local bank, under the guise that he was a check casher.
Within a three-month period, Wilson deposited over $318,000 in U.S. Treasury income tax refund checks into that account.
The checks had been issued as a result of fraudulently filed federal income tax returns, which were derived from the identities of deceased, elderly, and disabled victims.
In January 2013, a federal search warrant was executed at AAO and agents seized a 2011 Camaro and approximately $8,600 in cash.
Wilson subsequently obstructed the criminal investigation by taking records that were seized during the search warrant and failing to return them to the government.
Wilson spent all of the money that he received from the fraudulent tax returns on personal expenses, including the purchase of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro, mortgage payments, expensive restaurants, hotels, and large dollar transactions at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas is prosecuting the case.
The defendant’s actions have resulted in significant financial losses for the government and have put the identities of innocent victims at risk.
Wilson’s sentencing will determine the extent of his responsibility for these crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Jermaine Winters, Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2012 · Florida
- Andy Lamour, Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud, Florida 2012 · Florida
- Kenol Augustin, Identity Theft Tax Fraud, Florida 2014 · Florida
- Kency Aime, Access Device Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2023 · Idaho
- Stanley Fertil, Identity Theft and Unemployment Insurance Fraud, Florida 2023 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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