Harris Pleads Guilty to Tax Refund Fraud

Marietta Harris has pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States by using stolen identities to file false tax returns and collect tax refunds. Harris, who appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate, admitted to her role in the scheme, which lasted from January 2009 to June 2013.

According to information revealed at her plea hearing, Harris and her co-defendants used names, social security numbers, and other personal identifying information stolen from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Rankin County, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and other locations. They filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and collected tax refunds, which were electronically deposited into various bank accounts in Mississippi belonging to Harris and her co-conspirators.

Harris will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on May 29, 2018, and faces a total maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She was charged with conspiracy to defraud the government, along with seven co-conspirators. The co-conspirators, who have already been sentenced, include Nikki Thomas, who received 105 months; S’ade Tyler, who received 54 months; Tony Jones, who received 105 months; Ladonna Cooper, who received 20 months; Shekeila Jones, who received 15 months; Pamlia Johnson, who received 14 months; and Diandra Thomas, who received 5 months.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and the Mississippi Department of Revenue. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon.

The guilty plea is a significant victory for law enforcement, who have been working to crack down on tax refund fraud and identity theft. The scheme used by Harris and her co-conspirators was complex and involved the use of stolen identities to file false tax returns. The fact that they were able to use this scheme to collect tax refunds for several years highlights the need for continued vigilance in combating these types of crimes.

The sentencing of Harris and her co-conspirators serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of engaging in tax refund fraud and identity theft. The maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine is a significant punishment, and it is likely that Harris will receive a substantial sentence when she is sentenced in May. The case also highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating these types of crimes.

RELATED: Ex-Cop Nabbed in COVID Relief Scam

RELATED: Ex-Corrections Sergeant Fleeced COVID Relief