Georgia Woman Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Identity Theft And Bank Fraud Charges

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kiana Fiona Alphonse (29, Covington, Georgia) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, five counts of false representation of a Social Security number, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. Alphonse faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 2 years’ in federal prison on the aggravated identity theft charges, up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, up to 5 years in federal prison on each count of false representation of a Social Security number, and payment of restitution to the victims she and her co-defendant, Anthony Jermaine Robinson (31, Covington, Georgia), had defrauded. Her sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents and public records, in 2019, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) stopped a car Robinson was driving for a cracked windshield. Based on a probable cause search of the car, the CCSO located among other items, counterfeit Social Security cards and driver licenses in the identity of genuine individuals, genuine credit cards in the name of individuals, and multiple phones. Pursuant to a search warrant, the CCSO conducted a forensic examination of Robinson’s cellphone and determined that it contained among other things, text messages between Robinson and Alphonse. The text messages outlined instructions on how to fraudulently set up business accounts at banks using fraudulent business documents for non-existent businesses, identification documents, and Social Security numbers.

Follow up investigation by law enforcement determined that in 2019, Robinson and Alphonse obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of multiple victims and then obtained counterfeit driver licenses purportedly from Washington state and Delaware in the identity of the victims. The counterfeit driver licenses contained the PII of the victims, but a photo of Alphonse. Using the PII including the Social Security numbers of the victims, the counterfeit driver licenses, and documents created for fictitious businesses, Alphonse visited multiple banks and set up fraudulent business bank accounts in the name of various victims. These bank accounts were then utilized as part of a scheme to defraud multiple victims involving the online purchase of nonexistent cars. Once the bank accounts received funds from the victims, Robinson, Alphonse, and co-conspirators withdrew the funds for their own personal use.

Alphonse appeared in federal court on April 26, 2023, pursuant to a writ bringing her to Jacksonville from Newton County Jail in Georgia where she is serving a jail sentence for violating probation on a firearm related crime.

Robinson appeared in federal court on November 3, 2022, pursuant to a writ bringing him to Jacksonville from Georgia State Prison where he is serving a prison sentence for violating parole on a fraud related crime. The Court ordered Robinson detained pending trial. On February 8, 2023, Robinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum penalty of 32 years in federal prison and payment of restitution to the victims he and Alphonse defrauded. Robinson is also wanted on violation of probation warrants from South Carolina and Columbia County, Florida on two unrelated financial crime cases.

This case was investigated by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.