Defendant Sentenced for Theft of Government Property and Aggravated Identity Theft

DEFENDANT SENTENCED FOR THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AND AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Kenitra Michelle Gilmer, 30, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mark Walker to 12 months in federal prison for theft of government property and 24 months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft.  The sentences, which were ordered to run consecutively, were announced today by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Gilmer’s charges stem from a traffic stop that occurred on February 8, 2012, in the Northern District of Florida.  During the traffic stop, officers recovered approximately $52,194 in cash, 17 TurboTax debit cards in other people’s names, and receipts showing that the cards had been used.   The TurboTax debit cards were loaded with fraudulently obtained income tax refunds.  During the investigation, officers discovered video footage showing Gilmer using one of the TurboTax debit cards at a Publix grocery store.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Herbert Lindsey.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.