Davie Resident Pled Guilty for her Role in Identity Theft Tax Fraud Scheme

Ashley Monique Leroy, 26, of Davie, pled guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title l8, United States Codes Section 1028A(a)(1).

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Raymond Black, Chief, Miramar Police Department, made the announcement.

According to court documents, on September 17, 2012, police officers from the Miramar Police Department arrested Leroy for possession of marijuana and other traffic infractions. After her arrest, officers conducted an inventory search of her vehicle and recovered a blue notebook that contained hundreds of personal identifying information, such as names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. The notebook also contained information explaining how to file income tax returns.

As part of her plea agreement, Leroy agreed to pay restitution to the IRS of $191,678. This amount represents the monetary loss for the filing of fraudulent income taxes in the names of the individuals listed in the blue notebook found in Leroy’s possession.

Leroy is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., before the Honorable Beth Bloom, United States District Judge.  At sentencing, the defendant faces a mandatory term of two years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other prison term.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Strike Force, with special commendation to the IRS-CI and the City of Miramar Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miesha Shonta Darrough.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.