Mobile Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Tax Fraud

MOBILE, AL – Carrie Mae Jones of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced to serve two years in federal prison for filing fraudulent tax returns.

According to court documents, Jones operated Agee’s Outreach Tax Service and Royalty Queen Tax Service in Mobile where she acted as a “ghost preparer” of at least 34 false or fraudulent tax returns between 2019 and 2022. Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Jones to two years’ imprisonment and ordered her to pay $419,452 in restitution. At the conclusion of her sentence, Jones will serve one year of supervised release.

“Carrie Jones represents many of the unethical tax preparers we advise filers to avoid by doing research on the business before using their services,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Not signing tax returns is just one of several indicators that someone is dealing with a ghost preparer.  The sentencing of Jones sends a message that unethical return preparers will be held accountable for their criminal activity.”

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigations investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasee Heisterhagen prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.