Four Sentenced For Filing Over 1100 Fraudulent Tax Returns In South Georgia

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that the three following defendants were sentenced on July 27, 2015 in United States District Court by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, Senior U.S. District Court Judge.

Patrice Taylor, age 34, of Ashburn, Georgia, was sentenced today to serve 84 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Mrs. Taylor was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,107,802.00 to the Internal Revenue Service.

Mrs. Taylor pled guilty to the charges on February 11, 2015.  As a part of her plea agreement, Mrs. Taylor admitted that she conspired with her husband, Antonio Taylor, and Jarrett Jones to file over 1,100 fraudulent tax returns between January 2011 and February 2013.  At least 1,089 of the returns were filed electronically from two IP addresses registered to Mrs. Taylor, both located at their home. From January 2012 to October 2012, a cell phone subscribed to Mrs. Taylor was used to call the Internal Revenue Service’s Automated Electronic Filing PIN Request 114 times.

Evidence presented by the United States at the sentencing hearing further showed that the identities, including the Social Security Numbers of 5 persons who were patients at Tift Regional Hospital were used by Mrs. Taylor to file fraudulent federal income tax returns.   Mrs. Taylor was employed at Tift Regional Hospital during the time of the conspiracy.  In addition, the Government’s evidence showed that the identities of 531 sixteen year olds were also used to file fraudulent federal income tax returns.

In January 2012, Mrs. Taylor  filed her own fraudulent federal income tax return requesting a refund in the amount of $6,776.  She claimed a dependent that she was not authorized by law to claim. 

Jarrett Jones, aged 38, of Ty-Ty, Georgia, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on October 9, 2014.  He was sentenced by Judge Sands to 20 months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $94,959.00.

Victoria Davis, aged 26, of Cordele, Georgia, entered her guilty plea on July 9, 2014 to one count of theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft.  She was sentenced to serve 12 months in the Bureau of Prisons and pay restitution in the amount of $6,256.00.

Antonio Taylor was sentenced by Judge Sands on July 28, 2015 to serve 147 months in the Bureau of Prisons for his participation in the conspiracy.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,107,802 to the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Taylor pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on March 13, 2015.  He has been in custody since the time of his arrest on March 12, 2014 and remains in custody.

“The stealing of a person’s identity to take money from the United States Treasury wreaks havoc not just on the individual victim, but also on every law-abiding taxpayer.  These folks aren’t stealing from nameless, faceless people; they are stealing from each of us,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

“Identity theft is an ongoing problem in the United States. It is our duty as IRS Criminal Investigation to investigate identity theft and refund fraud and vigorously pursue those individuals who undermine the integrity of the U.S. tax system,” stated Special Agent in Charge Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot. “This case is a good example of solid investigative work on everyone’s part.  We are proud to have prevented additional people from being victimized by these individuals, and causing further financial damage and personal inconvenience.”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, assisted by the Ashburn Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jim Crane is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.