United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

IRS EMPLOYEE ARRESTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that John Sebastian King, an employee with the Internal Revenue Service in Dallas, was arrested this morning at his place of employment on charges outlined in a 12-count indictment returned earlier this week by a federal grand jury in Dallas. King made his initial appearance this afternoon before the Honorable Irma C. Ramirez, United States Magistrate Judge, who released him on bond and set an arraignment date of April 14, 2006.

The indictment alleges that King used another person’s Social Security Number, representing it as his own, to unlawfully obtain the credit history of this other person to fraudulently obtain credit card account numbers and approved credit lines at several retail stores. He then used the credit card account numbers with his true name of John S. King to purchase several items including tires and wheels at Discount Tire in Garland, Texas; furniture at Basset Furniture Store and Dillards Department Store in Dallas; Louis Vuitton luggage at Saks Department Store in Dallas; alterations for men’s suits at Foley’s Department Store in Dallas; and a music synthesizer work station at Guitar Center Store in Farmer’s Branch, Texas.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on all counts of the indictment, King, age 43, of Irving, Texas, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 90 years imprisonment and a $3 million fine and restitution.

United States Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United State Attorney David L. Jarvis.

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