Taurence Creary, Tax Refund Scheme, Florida 2018

Tampa Man Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Tax Refund Scheme

Taurence Creary, a 47-year-old Tampa resident, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a tax refund scheme that involved nearly $400,000 in stolen federal tax refund checks.

According to court documents, Creary and his co-conspirators obtained a number of genuine federal tax refund checks that had been stolen en route to their intended recipients in the Middle District of Florida. The checks, which ranged in value from $4,000 to over $100,000, had an aggregate value of over $398,000.

Creary and his co-conspirators then sold or attempted to sell the checks to third parties. This brazen scheme left a trail of identity theft victims living in the Middle District of Florida, who were the intended recipients of the stolen checks.

On April 5, 2018, Creary pleaded guilty to conspiracy, receipt of stolen government property, and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge James Moody, Jr. handed down the sentence in Tampa, Florida.

Creary's co-conspirator, Xavier Williams, was also sentenced in connection with the scheme. On May 10, 2018, U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Williams to three years in federal prison for his role in the tax refund scheme.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel K. Jones and Eric K. Gerard.

Taurence Creary's five-year prison sentence serves as a reminder that identity theft and tax refund schemes will not be tolerated in our community. The Grimy Times will continue to report on cases like this to keep you informed and safe.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-man-sentenced-five-years-prison-scheme-involving-nearly-400000-stolen-federal-tax