Miami Resident Kenol Augustin Sentenced for Tax Fraud Scheme

Horrifying revelation from the Southern District of Florida: Kenol Augustin, a 36-year-old Miami resident, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for his pivotal role in an identity theft tax fraud scheme.

The grim details emerged as part of a federal investigation that revealed Augustin’s sinister plot. In November 2014, an unsuspecting employee was lured into the conspiracy, where they were paid cash by Augustin to access their employer’s database. This resulted in the extraction of names and Social Security numbers from medical patients – their personal identifying information (PII) – which was then used to file fraudulent tax returns with the IRS.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Wifredo A. Ferrer, along with Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and United States Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office Agent Paula Reid, jointly announced the sentence. Augustin was also ordered to pay a joint and several restitution of $57,000.

Augustin’s conviction followed by a federal jury for one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James V. Hayes and Gera Peoples are handling the prosecution with unwavering determination.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the sophistication of modern-day criminal operations, blending cybercrime with traditional financial fraud. The investigative efforts of IRS-CI and USSS were commended for their relentless pursuit of justice in this instance.

For more information on this harrowing crime and related court documents, visit the District Court for the Southern District of Florida or PACER.