LAFAYETTE, La. – In a shocking case of identity theft, 33-year-old Hailey Guidry of Opelousas, La., pleaded guilty to stealing a woman’s identity in order to cash a tax refund check worth more than $6,000.
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, Guidry worked intermittently for her sister’s businesses, which are Guidry’s Tax Service and Dee’s Tax Service. Part of Guidry’s duties involved handling refund checks customers elected to have sent to her sister’s businesses.
On May 8, 2013, a refund for a customer of Dee’s Tax Service was received, and Guidry later took possession of the check. Guidry then obtained a false identification card in the name of the customer on May 14, 2013 and cashed the $6,638.05 check the next day using the false identification card.
As a result of her actions, Guidry faces up to 15 years in prison, two years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and forfeiture of the items seized during the investigation.
Guidry’s actions are a stark reminder of the dangers of identity theft and the importance of protecting our personal information. This case highlights the need for vigilance and awareness in protecting ourselves from such crimes.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducted the investigation into Guidry’s activities, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph and Myers P. Namie are prosecuting the case.
A sentencing date has not been set in this case, but one can expect the full weight of the law to be brought down on Guidry for her crimes.
Hailey Guidry, a 33-year-old resident of Opelousas, La., pleaded guilty to one count of identity theft. The exact date of the crime was May 8, 2013. Guidry faces up to 15 years in prison, two years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and forfeiture of the items seized during the investigation. The tax refund check in question was worth $6,638.05.
Related Federal Cases
- Angel Lara-Merida, Identity Theft, Louisiana 2012 · Louisiana
- Silvia Maria Garcia-Coyado, Identity Theft, Louisiana 2016 · Louisiana
- Misty Johnson, Wire Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, Theft of Mail, Louisiana 2016 · Louisiana
- Michaelle Martinez, Theft of Government Funds, Louisiana 2023 · Louisiana
- Jessica Henderson Berthelot, Theft of Mail, Louisiana 2015 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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