A Miami-Dade man has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that netted him over $2 million in fraudulent tax refunds, using stolen identities of prisoners and deceased individuals.
Between 2008 and January 2015, Jean Leroy Destine, 36, and his co-conspirators obtained stolen IDs from Broward and Miami-Dade counties. They prepared and filed approximately 2,000 tax returns with the IRS, seeking over $2 million in refunds.
The conspirators used Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) to electronically file the returns. They directed the refunds to debit cards and treasury checks, which were cashed at various check cashing stores and funds were withdrawn from Western Union locations and ATMs.
Destine and his co-conspirators targeted prisoners and deceased individuals for their stolen identities. They recruited individuals to obtain EFINs in their names from the IRS, allowing them to file the fraudulent returns electronically.
Destine faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 14. The investigation was led by special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Karadbil and Assistant Chief Greg Tortella of the Tax Division.
Destine’s plea deal is a significant blow to those who engage in tax fraud and identity theft. His case serves as a reminder of the consequences of such crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Jermaine Winters, Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2012 · Florida
- Andy Lamour, Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud, Florida 2012 · Florida
- Kenol Augustin, Identity Theft Tax Fraud, Florida 2014 · Florida
- Louis A. Francois, Wire Fraud Aggravated Identity Theft, Florida 2023 · Florida
- Kency Aime, Access Device Fraud and Identity Theft, Florida 2023 · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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