Georgia Man Pleads Guilty In Stolen Identify Refund Fraud Scheme

PITTSBURGH - An individual from the State of Georgia pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Mark Williams, a/k/a Frank White, 45, of Summerville, Ga., pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, Williams, along with other co-conspirators, conspired to steal identities of other persons that were used to file false electronic federal tax returns between 2011 and 2015 which requested federal income tax refunds into bank accounts in Pittsburgh and in Georgia.

Judge Fischer scheduled the sentencing for Sept. 3, 2015. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 44 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mark Williams.