Pleasant Hill Woman Sentenced To Twenty-Nine Months In Prison For Her Role In Identity Theft Tax Scheme

OAKLAND – Sherry L Hender was sentenced to 29 months and ordered to pay restitution of $51,629 for theft of government property and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge José M. Martinez.

Hender pleaded guilty on June 3, 2014. According to the plea and court documents, beginning in August 2011, Hender assisted in preparing hundreds of false income tax returns, claiming fraudulent tax credits and fraudulent tax refunds. In order to conduct her tax scheme, Hender created an identification information form, “ID-DOC”, which was used to prepare the fraudulent income tax returns. This form contained questions about personal identification, including name, date of birth, Social Security number, income, number of dependents, expenses, and occupation.

In January 2012, Hender opened a business bank account which was used to receive tax refunds. Between Jan. 18, 2012 and Feb. 21, 2012, Hender used the information obtained on the ID-DOC to prepare and submit fraudulent income tax returns, directing the IRS to send the refunds to her bank account. On Feb. 7, 2012, and Feb. 24, 2012, Hender told IRS Special Agents that she knew the tax refund money was obtained fraudulently and agreed to return it to the IRS. However, she did not return the money to the IRS. Rather, she withdrew the funds and spent it on personal items and illegal drugs. Hender obtained $51,629 in fraudulent refunds.

Hender, 50, of Pleasant Hill, was charged on May 21, 2013, with thirteen counts of theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft. She pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property and to the aggravated identity theft count.

The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, United States District Court Judge in Oakland. Judge White also sentenced Hender to a three-year term of supervised release, and ordered her to pay $200.00 in special assessment. The defendant was ordered to surrender on Oct. 21, 2014.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Moore is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

(Hender indictment )