WICHITA, KAN. – Two Wichitans have been charged with using victims’ medical records to fraudulently apply for and receive federal income tax refunds, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Anthony Hopkins, 39, Wichita, Kan., and Ashley Allen, 23, Wichita, Kan., are charged with one count of conspiracy to submit false claims for income tax refunds, one count of submitting false claims for income tax refunds, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of debit card fraud. The crimes are alleged to have occurred from January through March 2012 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

The indictment alleges Hopkins and Allen obtained Wichita Clinic medical records that included personally identifying information. Without the victims’ knowledge, Hopkins and Allen used information contained in the records to submit income tax returns using the identities of the victims. They had the tax refunds paid to pre-paid debit card, which they used to pay bills, make purchases and obtain cash.

If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the conspiracy count; a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the false claim count; a mandatory two years consecutive to other sentences and a fine up to $250,000 on the identity theft charge; and a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other charge.

The Internal Revenue Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Emily S. Jones, 29, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of making a counterfeit $100 bill and one count of attempting to pass a counterfeit $100 bill. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in November 2012 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

Osayuwame Bazuaye, 21, is charged with threatening an immediate family member of a federal law enforcement officer. The crime is alleged to have occurred Oct. 29, 2012, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of six years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Francisco H. Herrera, 21, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. The crime is alleged to have occurred Oct. 12, 2012, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Wichita Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blair Watson is prosecuting.

Jose Urial Serna, 30, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Nov. 29, 2012, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blair Watson is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

 

 

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