George Rowell, a 61-year-old Columbus, Georgia resident, is headed to federal prison for 18 months after cashing hundreds of stolen tax refund checks tied to a massive identity theft ring. Rowell, who owned and operated Big O’s Package Store, turned his check-cashing counter into a hub for laundering fraudulently obtained government money.
Federal prosecutors say between February 2012 and March 2013, undercover agents approached Rowell to cash refund checks made out to people whose names didn’t match the IDs presented. Rowell didn’t hesitate. He processed over 250 checks worth $645,343.03—charging co-conspirators a 10 percent cut—even though he knew the checks weren’t in their names. In some cases, he stood by while forged signatures were slapped onto IRS documents right in front of him.
The scheme unraveled as part of a broader federal crackdown on refund fraud in Georgia. Rowell pleaded guilty in August 2016 to conspiring to commit theft of public money. In addition to prison, he was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay full restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Rowell wasn’t the only one cashing in on stolen identities. His co-conspirators have already served serious time. Tonya Alexander was sentenced to 37 months in December 2016. Keisha Lanier got 15 years in September 2015. Tracy Mitchell was hit with 13 years and 3 months behind bars in August 2015. All pleaded guilty to roles in the same fraud network.
The investigation was led by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service, agencies that have ramped up efforts to combat refund fraud fueled by stolen personal information. Prosecutors say Rowell wasn’t just a passive participant—he enabled the fraud by providing a critical cash-out point for criminals who had no legal claim to the funds.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney G.F. Peterman III of the Middle District of Georgia praised the outcome, crediting trial attorney Michael C. Boteler and Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford L. Seals for securing the conviction. The case underscores how small businesses can become weaponized in large-scale financial fraud—if greed outweighs conscience.
Related Federal Cases
- Columbus Criminal Wytrenia Reynolds Sentenced For Cashing Stolen Treasury Checks · Alabama
- “Ziggy” Yancey Gets 19 Years for Meth & Stolen Gun · Alabama
- Tifton Couple Indicted for Stolen Treasury Checks Scam · Georgia
- Hill Gets 15 Years for Meth & Stolen Gun · Georgia
- Columbus Woman Sentenced for $515K in Stolen Treasury Checks · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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