Lehigh Acres Man Convicted Of Theft Of Government Money And Identity Theft Crimes

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Kenneth R. Jackson, Jr. (42, Lehigh Acres) guilty of five counts of identity theft, five counts of conversion of government property, five counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of passing a forged treasury check, and one count of access device fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison for each count of identity theft, up to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count of converting government property and for passing a forged treasury check, up to 15 years in federal prison for the access device fraud count and a minimum mandatory term of 2 years for the aggravated identity theft charges. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 1, 2019.  

According to testimony and evidence presented at the five-day trial, Jackson operated a business that allowed him access to credit reports. He used his business to unlawfully obtain credit reports on his victims and opened fraudulent bank accounts online in their names. Jackson then deposited stolen U.S. Treasury tax refund checks in their accounts totaling approximately $115,000. He used associates to launder the money or he withdrew cash from ATMs at the banks.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.