Tax Fraud Trio Headed to Florida Lockup

ORLANDO, FL – A brazen scheme to cook the books and line their pockets with stolen tax refunds has landed three Florida men in federal prison. Jonathan Carrillo, Franklin Carter Jr., and Diandre T. Mentor were sentenced this week after being convicted for their roles in a years-long conspiracy to prepare and file false tax returns for unsuspecting clients.

According to court documents, the operation began as early as 2016 with the establishment of Neighborhood Advance Tax (NAT), a return preparation business boasting a dozen offices across Florida. Carter and Carrillo owned and operated NAT, while Mentor, starting in 2018, served as manager of the Orlando location. The trio, along with co-conspirators, systematically inflated client refunds by fabricating deductions – essentially stealing money from the U.S. Treasury. Even more damning, they didn’t just commit the fraud themselves; they actively taught their employees how to do it, spreading the criminal practice like a virus through their network.

When the heat started to rise, these operators didn’t shut down and face the music. Instead, they simply rebranded. In 2020, Mentor and his crew launched Smart Tax & Finance, continuing the same pattern of fraudulent filings and employee training. Mentor alone is responsible for causing a staggering $3,090,077 in losses to the IRS. But Mentor wasn’t working alone. In 2021, Carter and Carrillo doubled down, opening Taxmates, operating from the same locations as their previous venture, NAT. The scheme continued unabated, with the same fraudulent practices, the same employee instruction, and a ballooning tax loss exceeding $12 million.

The feds finally caught up. Jonathan Carrillo received the harshest sentence: 121 months in prison. Franklin Carter Jr. will spend 84 months behind bars, and Diandre T. Mentor was sentenced to 36 months. But they aren’t the only ones paying the price. Co-conspirators Emmanuel Almonor and Adon Hemley received sentences of 57 months and 46 months, respectively. Judge Wendy W. Berger didn’t stop at prison time either, ordering Mentor to pay $3,090,077 in restitution, Carter $12,543,946, and Carrillo $12,170,066 to the United States – a small dent in the damage they caused.

All three men will also serve three years of supervised release following their prison terms. The investigation was led by IRS Criminal Investigation, highlighting the agency’s continued commitment to cracking down on tax fraud. The prosecution was handled by Trial Attorney Michael L. Jones of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Testerman for the Middle District of Florida, demonstrating a coordinated effort to bring these criminals to justice.

This case serves as a stark reminder that tax fraud is not a victimless crime. It steals vital resources from public programs and undermines the integrity of the tax system. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. Consider this a warning: if you think you can cheat the system, you will eventually pay the price.

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