Orlando Man Sentenced For Stolen Identity Refund Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft

Orlando, FL – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Michael Carvalho to five years and five months in federal prison for theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. He was also ordered to pay a money judgment in the amount of $2,223,083.44, representing the amount of illicit proceeds gained from the theft, and forfeit the contents of three JPMorgan Chase accounts and real properties located at 2615 S. Goldenrod Road in Orlando and 2045 Shadow Drive in Geneva, Florida.

According to the plea agreement, from approximately October 2011 through September 2013, Carvalho passed or attempted to pass more than 441 federal tax refund checks in excess of $2.9 million at six banks in the Middle District of Florida. The checks were fraudulently obtained and/or contained falsely made or forged endorsements or signatures. Along with others, Carvalho deposited these instruments on 180 different days, over a two-year period. The loss suffered by the government was $2,223,083.44.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.