Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 29, 2007
Contact : Sue McKinney
TAX FRAUD SENTENCING
United States Attorney Maxwell Wood, Middle District of Georgia, Albany Division announces the sentencing of Shanika Natasha Jones which took place on May 24, 2007 before the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia.
Shanika Jones and a co-defendant (Marvin Kirk Jones, her father) were charged in a one count superseding indictment with Conspiracy to Defraud the Government with Respect to Claims in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 286 and convicted of the same after a week long trial in January 2007. The allegations contained within the indictment dealt with Marvin Kirk Jones obtaining names and social security numbers for inmates within the Georgia Department of Corrections, sometimes with their knowledge and consent and sometimes without, and filing tax returns indicating that they worked, made substantial withholdings and are now entitiled to a refund of between $6500-$9000. There were approximately 30 false returns listed in the indictment and the total intended loss with regard to the returns listed in the indictment was in excess of $200,000. The indictment further alleged that at varying addresses in Americus and Albany, Georgia, Shanika Natasha Jones received multiple refund checks and procured their cashing.
At sentencing the government proved that Shanika Jones was a part of a conspiracy in which at least 417 false tax returns claiming in excess of three million dollars in refunds and that approximately $972,000 in refunds had actually been paid as a result of the scheme. Shanika Jones was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 78 months , 3 years supervised release, restitution in the amount of $972,000 and a $100 mandatory assessment fee.
This case was investigated by Special Agents Brian Slemons and Jacob Adams, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Macon and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney, Leah E. McEwen.
Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.
