SCRANTON, Pennsylvania – An Allentown man is behind bars after being charged with defrauding the government, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft.
Julio Polanco Suarez, 41, was indicted on April 10, 2018, for conspiring to defraud the government between March 1, 2009 and September 20, 2016. The indictment alleges that Suarez and his coconspirators stole individuals’ identities, used them to prepare and file false tax returns, and obtained the refund checks issued by the U.S. Treasury pursuant to those false tax returns.
Suarez took possession of the refund checks, forged names and social security numbers on them, and cashed them at check cashing businesses in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Suarez and his coconspirators are charged with cashing $522,613.80 in fraudulently obtained Treasury checks, and attempting to cash an additional $41,401.57 worth of checks.
The case was investigated by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalties under federal law for the most serious charges are up to 10 years of imprisonment. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a two-year consecutive mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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