Brooklyn Center Man Sentenced To 92 Months In Prison For Tax Fraud and Identity Theft

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ELLIS ALANCE BANKS, 53, to 68 months for conspiracy to defraud the United States, and 24 months for aggravated identity theft, to be served consecutively. He was sentenced on November 7, 2018, by Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Judge Doty also ordered more than one million dollars in restitution.

ELLIS ALANCE BANKS, pleaded guilty on May 24, 2018. According to documents filed in court including BANKS’ guilty plea, from at least January 31, 2013 to at least May 28, 2016, BANKS defrauded the United States by filing over 250 false tax returns seeking $1.5 million in fraudulent tax refunds. Additionally, he obtained social security numbers, dates of birth, and other personal identifying information of individuals to use to file fraudulent income tax returns.

“Millions of hardworking Americans pay their taxes expecting that money to be used to fund the essential needs of Government,” stated IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Gabe Grchan. “Ellis Banks stole more than one million dollars from the pockets of our citizens and this sentence illustrates that there are consequences for exploiting others through fraud and deceit to steal from the United States Treasury.”

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jones prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

ELLIS ALANCE BANKS, 53

Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to defraud the United States, 1 count
• Aggravated identity theft, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 92 months in prison 
• Three years supervised release
• $1,001,999.49 in restitution

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600