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Press Release

JACKSON WOMAN SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR STOLEN IDENTITY REFUND FRAUD

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi

 

Jackson, Miss. – Marietta Harris, 39, of Jackson, was sentenced on April 8, 2015 by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for stolen identity refund fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jerome R. McDuffie with IRS Criminal Investigation. Harris was also ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $771,956.27.

Harris admitted to conspiring to defraud the government by using personal identifying information, including names and social security numbers which had been stolen from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility located in Rankin County, the University of Mississippi Medical Center and other locations. The information was then used by Harris and her co-conspirators to file false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. The tax returns claimed that the tax payers were owed a refund. Refunds were then electronically deposited into various bank accounts in Mississippi belonging to Harris and her co-conspirators.

U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis commended the agents with IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service who investigated this case. "The prosecution of stolen identity refund fraud cases continues to be a top priority of the Department of Justice. Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning that those who choose to prey on others to enrich themselves will be brought to justice," said U.S. Attorney Davis.

Acting Special Agent in Charge, Jerome R. McDuffie, IRS – Criminal Investigation, stated, "We are very pleased with the sentence handed down by the court in this matter. Marietta Harris engaged in a conspiracy that involved the use of stolen identification information which originated from the MDOC, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and a local physician patient database. The use of this information to prepare fraudulent tax returns not only resulted in the victimization of the government and its taxpayers, but many vulnerable individuals as well. She earned her time in prison, and must now commence with making recompense for her actions. The Special Agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation remain diligent in our pursuit of the

most egregious cases involving identity theft, and are committed to our partnerships with other federal agencies to put an end to Stolen Identity Refund Fraud."

This case was investigated by the United State Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Lemon.

Updated April 9, 2015