Homestead Man Gets 81 Months for Massive ID Theft Scheme

HOMESTEAD, FL – Mark Anthony Dacres, Jr., 30, of Homestead, Florida, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 81 months for a brazen identity theft and tax refund fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro handed down the sentence today, followed by three years of supervised release. Dacres was also ordered to pay $34,920.00 in restitution to his victims.

The case, a joint effort by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the United States Secret Service (USSS) Miami Field Office, revealed a sophisticated operation fueled by stolen identities. Dacres previously pled guilty to one count of possessing fifteen or more unauthorized access devices (social security numbers), a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1). The charges carry significant penalties, reflecting the widespread impact of his crimes.

According to court documents, agents raided the residence where Dacres stayed and unearthed a treasure trove of stolen personal information. The search yielded numerous prepaid debit cards, meticulously printed lists, handwritten notes, and books containing the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of a staggering 1,750 individuals. This wasn’t just a handful of compromised accounts; it was a mass harvesting of identities designed for systematic fraud.

The evidence showed that eighty-five fraudulent tax returns were filed using an IP address registered to Dacres’ residence, all utilizing the stolen names and social security numbers. IRS-CI agents painstakingly tracked down six of the taxpayers whose information had been used. Each one confirmed they had no knowledge of Dacres, never authorized him to access their personal details, and certainly didn’t file any tax returns through him. The sheer scale of the operation points to a calculated and deliberate attempt to defraud the federal government and victimize innocent citizens.

“This sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on the identities of others for financial gain will be held accountable,” stated Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Donnell Young, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI, and Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge of USSS, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in combating identity theft. The Identity Theft Strike Force played a crucial role in bringing Dacres to justice.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera R. Peoples prosecuted the case. Further information, including court documents, can be found on the websites of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida (http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls) and the District Court for the Southern District of Florida (http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov).