A 33-count indictment was filed today charging Keauna Smith, a 28-year-old South Euclid woman, with aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and bank fraud related to a $70,000 scheme, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Kathy Enstrom, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati Field Office.
According to the indictment, Keauna Smith is accused of stealing the identities of 16 people between 2012 and 2014. She used these stolen identities to file 18 false tax claims of approximately $44,306. The money was loaded onto prepaid debit cards and then withdrawn at various ATMs.
Smith also allegedly illegally obtained approximately $26,300 this year by taking checks from her employer, making them payable to herself, and then forging the owner’s signature on the checks, according to the indictment.
“This defendant is accused of stealing from private citizens, the federal government, and her employer,” Dettelbach said. “Her free ride of theft ends now.”
“Investigating refund fraud and identity theft is a priority for Criminal Investigation,” Enstrom said. “Stealing identities and filing false returns is a serious crime that hurts innocent taxpayers. IRS Criminal Investigation is serious about investigating these crimes and holding accountable those who would defraud the government.”
Keauna Smith faces 16 counts of wire fraud, 16 counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of bank fraud. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James V. Moroney following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
According to the indictment, if convicted, Keauna Smith’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including her prior criminal record (if any), her role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Keauna Smith is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant: Keauna Smith, 28, of South Euclid, Ohio
Criminal Charges: 16 counts of wire fraud, 16 counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of bank fraud
City and State: South Euclid, Ohio
Crime Date: Between 2012 and 2014, and this year
Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending
Dollar Amounts: $44,306 in false tax claims and $26,300 in illegally obtained funds
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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