Gibsonton Couple Faces Prison Time for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud
Tampa, Florida – In a shocking case of identity theft, a Gibsonton couple has been sentenced to several years in federal prison for their involvement in a massive stolen identity refund fraud scheme.
Ynessa Brown and Thelonius Robertson, both residents of Gibsonton, were sentenced to 61 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit tax fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to a recent sentencing. At the hearing, the judge ordered the couple to make restitution to the IRS in the amount of $673,398. Additionally, a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $767,398 was entered, representing the total proceeds of their fraud conspiracy.
According to court documents, the couple possessed and used stolen identities, including those of deceased persons, to electronically file fraudulent tax returns with the IRS through an Internet service provider in Brown’s name. Many of the false tax returns were filed jointly, and in many cases, one or both of the victims were deceased.
Items related to these false returns and refunds, including $94,000 in cash, were seized during a search of Brown’s residence in June 2013. From these fraudulently filed tax returns, Brown and Robertson directed the tax refunds onto unauthorized debit cards, many in other people’s names, and often to H & R Block Emerald cards, which were sent to either their address, the addresses of friends and family, and/or to vacant addresses.
The couple used these refunds to purchase merchandise or to make cash withdrawals, mostly from Fifth Third bank ATMs. This case was brought as part of an initiative dedicated to combating the growing problem of identity theft and the fraudulent filing of electronic tax claims.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation led the investigation, while Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen prosecuted the case.
The sentencing of Ynessa Brown and Thelonius Robertson serves as a reminder of the severity of identity theft and the importance of protecting personal information. As the number of identity theft cases continues to rise, it is essential that individuals take necessary precautions to safeguard their identities.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant/respondent: Ynessa Brown and Thelonius Robertson
- Criminal charges: Conspiring to commit tax fraud and aggravated identity theft
- City and state: Tampa, Florida
- Exact date: The sentencing date was not specified in the source, but the crime occurred from January 2012 through June 2013
- Sentence or outcome: 61 months in federal prison, restitution of $673,398 to the IRS, and forfeiture money judgment of $767,398
- Dollar amounts: $673,398, $767,398, and $94,000
Related Federal Cases
- Jermaine Winters, Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2012 · Florida
- Andy Lamour, Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud, Florida 2012 · Florida
- Kency Aime, Access Device Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2023 · Idaho
- Sean Anthony Lopez, Tax Refund Fraud, Florida 2023 · Florida
- Stanley Fertil, Identity Theft and Unemployment Insurance Fraud, Florida 2023 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News