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Columbus Bank Teller Sentenced for Theft
A Columbus, Georgia bank teller has been sentenced to prison for her role in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme. Tonya Alexander, a former SunTrust Bank employee, received and cashed fraudulently obtained income tax refund checks in exchange for a fee.
Between June 2012 and December 2013, Alexander worked as a bank teller at SunTrust Bank in Columbus. She received and cashed approximately 330 fraudulently obtained tax refund checks that totaled more than $600,000. Alexander also recruited another bank teller, co-conspirator Vicky Wheeler, to assist in cashing the tax refund checks.
On August 5, 2015, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft of public money. In addition to the term of prison imposed, Alexander was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $606,008.38 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The money was obtained through a scheme involving stolen identities and fake tax returns.
Alexander was sentenced to 37 months in prison, a significant penalty for her role in the scheme. Keisha Lanier, another co-conspirator, was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison on September 25, 2015. Tracy Mitchell was sentenced to 13 years and 3 months in prison on August 7, 2015.
The investigation into the scheme was conducted by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Michael C. Boteler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford L. Seals of the Middle District of Georgia.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance in preventing and detecting financial crimes. It also underscores the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in pursuing and prosecuting complex cases.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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