Pleasant Hill Woman Charged In Tax Refund Theft Scheme

OAKLAND – Sherry L Hender made her initial appearance today in federal court on charges of theft of government property and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge José M. Martinez announced.

According to the indictment filed on May 21, 2013, and unsealed today, from about January 18, 2012 to February 21, 2012, Hender, of Pleasant Hill, knowingly and willfully stole federal tax refunds to which she was not entitled. For the 2011 tax year, Hender received 13 tax refunds totaling $42,989. Hender also unlawfully used the name and Social Security number of another individual to obtain that tax refund.

Hender’s next court appearance is on March 7, 2014, before the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, United State District Court Judge in San Francisco.

The maximum statutory penalty for each count of theft of government property, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C § 641, is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum penalty for aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C § 1028A, is two years in prison, consecutive to the underlying felony and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Moore is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

(Hender indictment )