Longtime Tampa Fraudster Sentenced To More Than 9 Years In Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida - Judge Elizabeth A. Kovechevich today sentenced Marterrance Q. Holloway (33, Tampa) to 9 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States Treasury through committing tax fraud and aggravated identity theft.  As part of his sentence, the court entered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $238,573.30.  Other items purchased with proceeds of the fraud and other substitute assets were also ordered to be forfeited, including two 2010 Chevrolet Camaros, a 2011 Dodge Charger, a 2005 Dodge Charger, a motor scooter, an iPad computer, assorted jewelry and $779 in cash. 

Holloway pleaded guilty on July 24, 2013.

On September 23, 2013, Holloway’s co-defendant, Maurice Larry, a/k/a/ “Thirst,” was previously sentenced to 8 years and 5 months in prison for his involvement in this case.  The following day, Larry was also sentenced to a concurrent prison term of 14 years, 6 months’ imprisonment in an unrelated tax fraud case with co-defendant, Rashia Wilson.

According to court documents filed in this case, Holloway and Larry were filing fraudulent tax returns from a Tampa hotel room, in September 2010.  Inside the hotel room were four computers, which were used to electronically file fraudulent tax returns in the names of deceased individuals, along with website pages, ledgers, and lists of stolen names, dates of birth and social security numbers.  Multiple "Turbo Tax" reloadable debit cards were also found in the hotel room, along with ATM receipts for cash withdrawals and approximately $3700 in cash. Larry and his co-defendant admitted to filing fraudulent tax returns on the computers while staying at the hotel. 

Further, in August 2011, Holloway used a fraudulent debit card at a local bank ATM machine that had been loaded with the proceeds of a fraudulently filed tax return in the amount of over $9800. 

“These individuals have demonstrated a blatant disregard of the integrity of the United States tax system and caused immeasurable hardship to innocent victims and deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said James Robnett, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation-Tampa Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation remains committed to the pursuit of stolen identity refund fraud and, together with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Tampa Bay Identity Theft Alliance, we will hold those who commit the same crimes similarly accountable.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.