ORLANDO, FL – Trayone Lefferio Bell, a resident of Titusville, Florida, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of a sophisticated stolen identity refund fraud scheme. Bell was convicted on one count of fraudulent possession of access devices (credit card), two counts of theft of government money, and three counts of aggravated identity theft, following a trial that laid bare his calculated criminal activity.
According to evidence presented in court, Bell wasn’t just skimming a few bucks; he was systematically exploiting stolen personal information. He allegedly used pilfered names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers to file false 2011 federal tax returns. The scheme wasn’t about a complicated paper trail – it was about speed and access. Bell directed the fraudulent refunds to prepaid debit cards issued in the names of the identity theft victims.
Once in possession of these fraudulently obtained cards, Bell didn’t hesitate. He embarked on a spending spree, making large cash withdrawals and purchases, effectively turning stolen identities into cold, hard cash. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, led by Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, successfully prosecuted the case, proving Bell’s direct involvement in the scheme.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the St. Cloud Internal Revenue Service-Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force. This multi-agency team included representatives from the IRS – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and a veritable who’s who of Florida law enforcement: the St. Cloud, Osceola County, Brevard County, Palm Bay, Casselberry, Kissimmee, Winter Park, and Maitland Police Departments. It demonstrates the sheer scale of resources required to combat this type of financial crime.
Bell’s sentencing is scheduled for January 4, 2018. He now faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each of the first three counts – fraudulent possession of access devices, and the two counts of theft of government money. On top of that, each aggravated identity theft count carries a mandatory two-year federal prison sentence, to be served consecutively. That adds up to a potential 16 years behind bars.
Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang skillfully guided the prosecution, securing the guilty verdict. Bell was originally indicted on December 21, 2016, and now awaits his fate. This case serves as a stark reminder that exploiting stolen identities for financial gain will not be tolerated, and federal agencies are working diligently to bring perpetrators like Bell to justice. The Department of Justice Middle District of Florida released the information.
Related Federal Cases
- Jermaine Winters, Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft, Chipley FL, … · Maine
- Adrianne Marta Frazer, Tax Refund Fraud, Phoenix AZ, 2023 · Oregon
- Sean Anthony Lopez, $5.4M Tax Refund Fraud, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
- Andy Lamour, Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
- Freddie Howard, Tax Refund Fraud Scheme, Davie FL, 2023 · Florida
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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