Miami Man Sentenced in Identity Theft Tax Fraud Scam

MIAMI – Josue Pierre, 30, a Miami resident, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for orchestrating a brazen identity theft tax fraud scheme.

Pierre’s scheme began in early 2013 when he utilized his brother’s IRS electronic filing identification number (EFlN) to obtain pre-paid debit cards. With this EFIN, Pierre filed false tax returns under the names of others, siphoning refunds from the Department of Treasury.

The fraudulent refunds were deposited onto pre-paid debit cards in different names, and Pierre made unauthorized withdrawals at ATMs. According to court documents, Pierre’s actions were a clear case of identity theft and financial fraud.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Wifredo A. Ferrer, commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in bringing Pierre to justice. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger.

Pierre pleaded guilty to one count of use of unauthorized access devices and one count of aggravated identity theft. In addition to his prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release.

Court documents and related information can be found on the websites of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls or the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov.

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