Wetumpka Couple Guilty of $400K Tax Fraud to Fuel Gamble Habit

Montgomery, AL – A husband and wife duo from Wetumpka have been hit with substantial prison sentences for their involvement in a $400,000 tax fraud scheme that funded their gambling habits.

Mary Young, 48, and her spouse Christian Young, 49, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to defraud the United States and aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, between January 2010 and June 2012, the couple, along with Octavious Reeves and others, obtained stolen identities to file false tax returns.

The fraudulent returns were filed from the Youngs’ residence, with the illegal refunds directed to prepaid debit cards in the names of the identity theft victims. The proceeds were then withdrawn using these cards. In total, the scheme generated over $400,000 in fraudulent tax refunds, a significant portion of which was funneled into their gambling activities.

Between 2010 and 2012, the Youngs lost nearly $200,000 at casinos across Alabama. Sentencing for the pair has not yet been scheduled, but they each face a minimum sentence of two years and a maximum of twelve years in prison, along with supervised release, restitution, and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the loss caused by the offense.

The investigation into the case was conducted by Special Agents of the IRS – Criminal Investigation. Trial Attorneys Michael Boteler, Charles Edgar, Jr., and Gregory Bailey from the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Brown are handling the prosecution.

For more information on the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts, visit justice.gov/tax.