Fort Myers Woman Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Commit Identity Theft And Theft Of Government Funds

Fort Myers, Florida - Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Ebony Edwards today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft, to file false claims against the government, and to theft of government money or property. She faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, Edwards was employed with a health care provider and obtained the personal identifying information of at least 11 patients, including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth. Edwards transmitted the information to a conspirator via text messages using her cell phone. The co-conspirator then used that information to file false income tax returns.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.