Harvey Man Admits to Filing Fake Tax Returns, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison
A Harvey, Illinois man has pleaded guilty to filing hundreds of fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities, resulting in a massive loss for the government.
Jonathan Herring, 34, admitted to working with at least two others to prepare and file income tax returns using stolen names and social security numbers, and depositing the fraudulently obtained tax refunds into bank accounts he controlled. The scheme spanned from November 2014 to March 2015.
According to the plea agreement, Herring filed approximately 225 fraudulent returns claiming around $845,979 in tax refunds. The victims of his scheme included members of the U.S. Air Force.
Herring was charged in February 2016 with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and access device fraud. The indictment highlighted the severity of the crime, with some of the stolen identities belonging to U.S. military personnel.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Herring faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud count and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft count, which will run consecutive to any other prison term he receives.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 25. In addition to prison time, Herring also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg praised the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation agents who conducted the investigation and thanked Tax Division Trial Attorneys Michael C. Boteler and Timothy M. Russo for their work on the case.
Related Federal Cases
- Eric Holub, Tax Withholding Fraud, Cedar Rapids IA, 2023 · Iowa
- Tanya Nichols, Tax Refund Scheme, MO, 2014 · Illinois
- Michael Jett Sentenced to 23 Months for Tax Evasion, MO, 2023 · Georgia
- Yerfri Castillo, ID Theft Tax Scam, NY, 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Terry L. Gantt, ID Theft and Wire Fraud, Cedar Rapids IA, 2012 · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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