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), George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Rafiq Ahmad, Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations Miami Office (DOL-OIG), Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director, State of Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Thomas Caul, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Steve Steinberg, Chief, Aventura Police Department, J.D. Patterson Jr., Director, Miami Dade Police Department (MDPD), and J. Scott Dennis, Chief, North Miami Beach Police Department (NMBPD), announce the filing of federal charges against 42 defendants in 25 separate cases, dealing with tens of thousands of stolen identities and millions of dollars stolen from victims and government agencies through fraudulent schemes. Today’s cases reaffirm the joint federal, state and local commitment to the prosecution of perpetrators who steal, sell and use personal identification information to commit identity theft fraud schemes.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Florida had the highest rate of identity theft in the United States in both 2013 and 2014. While identity theft in Florida ranks highest in the United States, the identity theft rate in Miami has reached near epidemic proportions. Florida’s rate of 186.3 identity theft complaints per 100,000 residents—the highest in the United States—is dwarfed by the Miami rate of 316.2 complaints per 100,000 residents.

In an attempt to combat the rising wave of stolen identity tax refund scams, and armed with recent directives from the Department of Justice’s Tax Division, making prosecutions faster and easier, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida established the South Florida Identity Theft Tax Fraud Strike Force (Strike Force) in August 2012. With the escalating spread of fraud offenses, the Strike Force has broadened the scope of its focus and is now identified as the Identity Theft Strike Force.

The members of the Strike Force, and participating agencies, include the United States Attorney’s Office, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations Miami Office (DOL-OIG), Aventura Police Department, North Miami Beach Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), Sunrise Police Department, Coral Springs Police Department, Miramar Police Department, North Miami Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Ohio Department of Taxation, Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission.

Since the inception of the Strike Force, we have charged 359 defendants, who were responsible for approximately $314 million in intended losses and in excess of $125 million in actual SIRF fraud loss.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the IRS have also attacked this problem at its root by revoking so called “electronic filing identification numbers” or EFIN numbers, which allow individuals to file tax returns on behalf of others.

United States Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “Identity theft is a virus that has engulfed our community. Evolving fraud schemes are sweeping the state, utilizing the stolen personal identification information of our residents and individuals throughout the country. Theft of personal information is no less egregious when it is perpetrated by offenders who operate fraud schemes from their own homes and places of business. We are committed to stopping the fraud and encourage institutions to establish protective measure that will ensure personal information is not jeopardized. Our Office thanks the countless members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and other governmental entities who work together to fight these pervasive crimes and hold the offenders accountable.”

Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, stated, “Stolen Identity Refund Fraud is an ongoing battle that requires constant, joint and aggressive law enforcement actions to continue protecting the citizens of Florida. Today’s announcement should serve as a strong warning to those who are considering similar conduct. Law enforcement is serious about investigating identity theft crimes, and IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners on the Identity Theft Strike Force to combat the fraud.”

DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “Identity theft and public-benefits fraud have reached crisis levels. This fraud harms those whose identities are stolen, robs the social safety net of resources meant for hardworking Floridians, imposes significant costs on taxpayers, and undermines public trust. Our goal at DEO is to set a national standard in preventing, detecting, and helping to prosecute this fraud. We are making great strides within the Reemployment Assistance program, and in the last year our new fraud detection measures uncovered and halted 97,000 fraudulent claims, worth more than $400 million.”

“The epidemic of identity theft and tax fraud has hit South Florida hard in the past few years. The creation of the South Florida Identity Theft Strike Force has allowed the law enforcement members involved in the task force to work together, on many different levels, to combat this epidemic” said Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “These arrests should send a message to criminals that we will bring them to justice.”

“HSI will not tolerate criminals taking advantage of our citizens through identity theft schemes and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners to bring them to justice,” said Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Miami. “Identity theft causes distressing hardships for many citizens and has a devastating impact on the entire community.”

J.D. Patterson, Director of Miami Dade Police Department stated, “It is extremely important for law enforcement agencies to work in collaboration with each other and our communities to address crimes that span the jurisdictional boundaries of one agency and impact thousands of our citizens. The Miami-Dade Police Department remains committed to working together with fellow law enforcement agencies in the fight against fraud.”

Today, U.S. Attorney Ferrer, joined by members of the Identity Theft Strike Force, announce the most recent results of their investigative efforts. The cases announced today include:

1. United States v. Densom Beaucejour and Winzord Beaucejour, Case No. 15-20190-CR-Ungaro

   On March 24, 2015, Densom Beaucejour, 22, and Winzord Beaucejour, 21, both of Miami Gardens, were charged in a six-count indictment for their participation in a conspiracy to use stolen identities to commit unemployment insurance fraud, state income tax fraud, and federal income tax fraud.

   According to public documents, the investigation in this case began in January 2015, when a local police officer reported that he/she was the victim of identity theft and that a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim had been filed in his/her name. Subsequent investigation by federal law enforcement revealed numerous instances of suspected unemployment insurance fraud connected to the defendants’ residence.

   On March 11, 2015, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at the defendants’ residence. Inside several bedrooms in the defendants’ home, law enforcement found numerous sheets of paper, ledgers, and other documents with personal identifying information (“PII”)—including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers—of more than 1,000 individuals. Agents also discovered three handguns (one of which had been reported stolen), $8,600 in cash, and several credit cards embossed with names of individuals that did not appear to live at the defendants’ residence. Densom Beaucejour admitted to law enforcement that he possessed the PII found in his bedroom and had used some of it to commit fraud.

   The indictment charges the defendants with engaging in a conspiracy between February 2, 2014, and March 11, 2015, to use stolen PII to file fraudulent Florida unemployment insurance claims, fraudulent federal income tax returns, and fraudulent State of Ohio income tax returns. The fraudulent claims and refund amounts—ranging between $275 and $7,581—are alleged to have been filed from the defendants’ home in Miami Gardens.

   The defendants were charged with conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, ICE-HSI, and the NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie R. Galvin.

2. United States v. Cora Eutsay, Case No. 15-2250-MJ-Turnoff

   Cora Eutsay, 50, of Miami, was charged by criminal complaint with trafficking in and using unauthorized access devices to obtain anything of value, aggregating $1,000 or more in a one year period.

   As alleged in the complaint, Eutsay worked for CareerSource South Florida in the Opa Locka office. During her employment, Eutsay sought and inappropriately obtained access to the Department of Children and Families’ ACCESS Florida System, a State database containing the personally identifying information, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers (“PII”) of individuals who applied for public benefits in Florida. Eutsay’s employment credentials were used on several occasions to run queries in the ACCESS Florida database for the PII of persons who had previously applied for public benefits. Eutsay then sold the PII of more than 200 individuals.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, USSS, BSO, and DEO. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Galvin.

3. United States v. Kyron Jonathon Nedd, Case No. 15-2426-MJ-Goodman

   On April 1, 2015, Kyron Jonathan Nedd, 22, of Miami Gardens, was charged by criminal complaint for his participation in a stolen identity tax fraud scheme.

   According to the criminal complaint, between February 1, 2014 and July 18, 2014, a total of 379 fraudulent federal income tax returns, for tax year 2013, were filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) from Nedd’s residence in Miami Gardens. The returns claimed $843,295 in tax refunds. The IRS refunded approximately $64,557 for those fraudulently filed tax returns.

   On February 12, 2015, a federal search warrant was executed at Nedd’s residence, where agents discovered items containing personal identification information (“PII”)—names, dates of birth and social security numbers—of hundreds of individuals. Inside Nedd’s bedroom, law enforcement found a safe with numerous debit cards and computer-generated printouts from the State of Florida Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) database. The printouts contained the name they contained the name “C.Eutsay” at the top of the documents as well as her ID number and system identification number for “Cora Eutsay,” who, as noted above, was charged in a separate criminal complaint in Case No. 15-2250-MJ-Turnoff, with selling PII that she had unlawfully obtained from the DCF database. IRS-CI agents have since determined that there were numerous instances in which the PII contained on the DCF printouts matched up with fraudulent returns filed from Nedd’s residence.

   According to the complaint, federal law enforcement agents interviewed Nedd after serving the federal search warrant. Nedd admitted to law enforcement that he electronically filed the income tax returns from his house and that the returns were false and done without the taxpayers’ permission.

   The criminal complaint charges the defendant with use of one more unauthorized access devices, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the IRS-CI, USPS-OIG, DOL-OIG, and the USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke C. Watson.

4. United States v. Earnest Thad Etienne and Wilbert Champagne, Case No. 15-20054-CR-Ungaro

   On January 30, 2015, Earnest Thad Etienne, 29, and Wilbert Champagne, 20, both of North Miami Beach, were charged in a five-count indictment for their participation in a conspiracy to commit state income tax fraud using stolen identities.

   According to the indictment and other court records, on September 26, 2014, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at Etienne’s residence pursuant to an investigation of a homicide that took place in front of Etienne’s home. During the search, law enforcement officers discovered fifteen prepaid debit cards embossed with various individuals’ names, a thumb drive, ammunition, and $7,750 in cash in Etienne’s bedroom. In another room in the residence, law enforcement discovered additional electronic devices and a bank debit card embossed with the name of an individual who did not appear to live in the residence. Several firearms and additional ammunition were found in the back yard of the home.

   Subsequent investigation by federal law enforcement revealed that the thumb drive discovered in Etienne’s room contained the personal identifying information (“PII”)—including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers—of more than 650 individuals with addresses in Ohio. In addition, Etienne used at least one of the debit cards found in his residence to withdraw money associated with fraudulent state of Ohio income tax refunds.

   The indictment alleges that between January 14, 2014, and September 26, 2014, Etienne and his co-conspirators caused fraudulent income tax returns to be filed in the State of Ohio seeking tax refunds in amounts ranging between $7,543 and $11,515. The conspirators caused the State of Ohio to pay the fraudulent tax refunds to pre-paid debit cards in other individuals’ names or to a bank account in one of the co-conspirator’s names. The indictment alleges that on several occasions, Etienne withdrew money from the bank account in his co-conspirator’s name that contained fraudulent income tax refunds from the State of Ohio.

   Etienne and Champagne were charged with conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. Etienne was also charged with possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices. Champagne was also charged with use of unauthorized access devices.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, ICE-HSI, and the NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie R. Galvin.

5. United States v. Leonce V. Jeudy, Case No. 15-60037-CR-Bloom

   On March 3, 2015, Leonce V. Jeudy, 24, of Plantation, was charged in a six count indictment for his participation in a scheme utilizing stolen identities to commit income tax, unemployment, and credit card fraud.

   According to court documents, on January 7, 2015, a detective with the Sunrise Police Department initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Jeudy. After smelling the odor of marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle, the detective conducted a search of the car and found a loaded handgun, ammunition, approximately twenty credit cards in various names, new iPhones and iPads, bank records of an unrelated individual, and four receipts for Visa debit cards purchased earlier that day for $2,000. Jeaudy admitted that he had purchased the debit cards and electronic devices with the credit cards that he had obtained fraudulently.

   Police officers obtained a state search warrant for Jeudy’s residence. During the execution of the warrant, inside Jeudy’s bedroom officers found more than 100 credit and debit cards in the names of various individuals including Jeudy, numerous documents with the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers (“PII”) of different individuals, and various electronic devices including five computers, three thumb drives, and seven cellular telephones. The officers also recovered from Jeudy’s residence an AK-47 rifle, hundreds of rounds of different caliber ammunition, MDMA and Methamphetamine, several smaller packages of powder and crack cocaine, and other drug paraphernalia.

   Subsequent forensic analysis by federal law enforcement revealed more than 8,000 sets of PII were found on the recovered thumb drives. In addition, an analysis revealed that eighteen of the recovered debit cards had received approximately $30,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds and two of the debit cards were associated with fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

   The indictment charges the defendant with six counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, trafficking and using unauthorized access devices, possession of unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Sunrise Police Department, IRS-CI, the DOL-OIG, and USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Kobrinski.

6. United States v. Jesney Eliassaint, Case No.15-2378-MJ-Simonton

   On March 23, 2015, Jesney Eliassaint, 33, of Miami, was charged by criminal complaint for his involvement in an identity theft scheme.

   According to the criminal complaint, in February 2014, officers with the Miami Gardens Police Department performed a traffic stop of a car for having an expired vehicle registration. Inside the car were several iPads and sheets of paper containing (“PII”)—including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers—of various individuals. A subsequent investigation by the USSS revealed that there were approximately 137 different names, with corresponding PII, printed on the sheets, some of which had the word “Patient” written across the top. The USSS determined that the PII found in the vehicle originated from a data breach at Aventura Hospital. The breach had been executed from Eliassaint’s computer in the hospital’s medical billing department. According to Aventura Hospital, computer records revealed that Eliassaint had conducted approximately 4,000 inquiries for patients by their date of birth.

   During the investigation, USSS agents interviewed Eliassaint, who admitted to conducting the searches and printing out patient records containing the PII while he was working as a contract employee for an outside company. Eliassaint also told USSS agents that he would take screen shots of the patient records and then print them out to avoid detection. Eliassaint stated that he sold the sheets of paper, containing PII, for approximately $100 per sheet, to several individuals. Eliassaint estimated that he made a total of $2,000 for selling the patients’ information.

   The defendant is charged with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Emery.

7. United States v. Bradley Lee Ritter, Case No. 15-20215-CR-Gayles

   On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, Bradley Lee Ritter, 23, of North Miami, was charged in a five-count indictment in a scheme to steal unemployment insurance payments by filing fraudulent claims using stolen personally identifying information of numerous Florida residents.

   According to court documents, numerous unemployment insurance claims filed in both the State of Florida and the State of Texas were connected to Ritter’s residence. On March 18, 2015, a federal search warrant was executed at the defendant’s home. In one bedroom, along with Ritter’s personal items, law enforcement discovered numerous sheets of paper, ledgers, and other documents containing the personally identifying information (“PII”)—names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers—of approximately 1,000 individuals. Law enforcement contacted three individuals whose PII was found in Ritter’s home and had unemployment claims submitted in their names. All three individuals revealed that they did not file the claim or authorize anyone to use their identity.

   The indictment charges the defendant with use of unauthorized access devices, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, DEO, the USPIS, ICE-HSI, and the NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Widlanski.

8. United States v. Renet Blanc, Case No. 15-2357-MJ-O’Sullivan

   On Thursday, March 19, Renet Blanc, 21, of North Miami, was charged by criminal complaint for his participation in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme.

   According to the complaint and other public documents, Renet Blanc was involved in a scheme that utilized the stolen identities of Michigan and Florida residents to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in both those states. The State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency then sent unemployment payments, by direct deposit, to Blanc’s bank account in Florida. Blanc was identified on bank surveillance photos withdrawing some of the unauthorized funds.

   On Wednesday, March 18, 2015, a federal search warrant was executed at Blanc’s residence. In one bedroom, along with Blanc’s personal items, law enforcement discovered numerous sheets of paper, ledgers, and other documents containing the personally identifying information (“PII”)—including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers—of various individuals who did not appear to live at Blanc’s residence. In particular, law enforcement discovered in excess of 50 unique sets of PII on notebook paper, W-2 employment forms, and patient records. Law enforcement also discovered the debit card Blanc was captured using at the bank to withdraw fraudulent unemployment insurance funds.

   The complaint charges the defendant with possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, SSA-OIG, DEO, USPIS, ICE-HSI, NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Widlanski.

9. United States v. Ronet Blanc, Case No. 14-2458-MJ-McAliley

   On Tuesday, April 7, 2015, Ronet Blanc, 24, of North Miami, was charged by criminal complaint with participating in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme.

   According to the complaint and other public documents, Ronet Blanc was involved in a scheme that utilized stolen identities of Michigan and Florida residents to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in both those states. The State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (“UIA”) sent the unemployment insurance payments by direct deposit to Blanc’s bank account in Florida. The complaint alleges that Blanc was identified withdrawing some of the unauthorized funds, in bank surveillance photographs.

   On Wednesday, March 18, 2015, officers executed a federal search warrant at Blanc’s residence. In one bedroom, along with Blanc’s personal items, law enforcement discovered a laptop computer. A subsequent forensic search of the computer revealed Blanc’s resume and a spreadsheet containing the personal identification information (“PII”)—including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers—of at least 3,000 individuals.

   The complaint charges the defendant with possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices.

   Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, SSA-OIG, DEO, USPIS, ICE-HSI, and the NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Widlanski.

10. United States v. Luis Daniel Lopez Morales and Rigo Octavio Lopez, Case No. 15-2428-MJ-Goodman

    On April 1, 2015, Luis Daniel Lopez Morales, 19, and Rigo Octavio Lopez, 25, both of North Miami, were charged by criminal complaint for their participation in a fraudulent tax refund scheme.

    The complaint alleges that between January 31, 2014, and July 8, 2014, a total of 494 fraudulent income tax returns for tax year 2013 were filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) from the defendants’ home in North Miami. The fraudulent returns claimed approximately $237,092 in tax refunds. The IRS paid out approximately $49,902 for the fraudulent returns.

    On February 11, 2015, a federal search warrant was executed at the home of Lopez and Lopez Morales. Federal Agents recovered dozens of items containing personal identifying information (“PII”), including handwritten ledgers with account and PIN numbers, handwritten documents with names and dollar amounts, numerous pre-paid debit cards, lists from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (“FLDMV”) and print-outs of “Student Information” from the Miami-Dade Public School system. The school print-outs contained the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of current or former Miami-Dade students. Some of the PII listed in the print-outs corresponded with fraudulent income tax returns that had been filed from the defendants’ residence.

    Both Lopez and Lopez Morales admitted to law enforcement that they conspired to file fraudulent income tax returns from their home.

    The complaint charges the defendants with conspiracy to use one or more access devices, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI and the USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke C. Watson.

11. United States v. Antwan Lamar Edwards, et. al, Case No. 15-20174-CR-Cooke

    On March 19, 2015, Antwan Lamar Edwards, 26, of Miramar, and Dennis Franks, Jr., 27, of Miami, were charged by indictment for their participation in a scheme to file fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal identity information.

    According to the indictment, the defendants were the registered managers of a tax preparation business called All-Star Tax Solutions, LLC (“ASTS”), a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in Miami. Over the course of almost two years, the defendants used ASTS’s Electronic Filing Identification Number (“EFIN”) and their respective Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (“PTINs”) to e-file fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal identification information and fabricated W-2 statements. The indictment alleges that the defendants filed the false returns from their residences and claimed refunds for the 2011 tax year in amounts ranging between $563 and $6,515, which were paid by check and direct deposit onto debit cards mailed to ASTS.

    The thirty-one count indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy, submitting false claims to the government, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Strike Force, with special commendation to the IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne.

12. United States v. Christopher M. Mack, Case No. 15-2317-MJ-O’Sullivan

    On March 16, 2015, Christopher M. Mack, 30, of Miami, was charged by criminal complaint for operating a scheme to skim credit card numbers, manufacture counterfeit credit cards, and file false federal income tax returns.

    According to the criminal complaint, the defendant engaged in a scheme to skim credit card numbers from the customers of a South Beach restaurant. Pursuant to the investigation and the execution of a search warrant at Mack’s residence, officers discovered a magnetic stripe encoder, a credit card skimmer, over 100 counterfeit credit cards embossed with Mack’s name, three spiral notebooks filled with the personal identifying information of over 500 individuals, and loose sheets of paper filled with over 1,000 social security numbers.

    Pursuant to the complaint, a Miami Dade Police Department (“MDPD”) detective selected for further inspection fifty entries from the hundreds listed in the spiral notebooks. The detective discovered that the fifty entries represented a total of $232,344.00 in filed returns. Further investigation revealed that individuals listed in the entries had false tax return filings associated with the discovered PII. Of those false filings, four resulted in paid disbursements.

    The complaint charges the defendant with possessing fifteen or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the MDPD and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Langley.

13. United States v. Yvenante Achille, Case. No. 15-20229-CR-Lenard

    In April 3, 2015, defendant Yvenante Achille, 30, of Miami, was charged by indictment for her participation in an identity theft tax fraud scheme.

    According to the indictment, Achille was an employee of a community health care provider. As part of her regular employment, the defendant had access to patient records, which contained personal identifying information (“PII”). Between August 22, 2013, and March 26, 2104, the defendant stole the PII of more than 9,000 current and former patients. Achille provided the stolen PII, without the patients authorization or permission, to a co-conspirator. Using a patient’s PII, the co-conspirator filed a fraudulent tax return.

    The indictment charges the defendant with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Strike Force, with special commendation to the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.

14. United States v. John Mackenley Cesar, et. al, Case No. 15-60071-CR-Zloch

    On April 2, 2015, John Mackenley Cesar, 26, of Miami, Chedlor Dorilus, 22, of Hollywood,Lawrence Bernadel (“Bernadel”), 22, of Tallahassee, Ariel Ronet Walker, 22, of Tallahassee, andLubens Inalien, a/k/a “Lubaby,” 29, of Fort Lauderdale, were charged in a six count indictment for their participation in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme.

    According to the indictment, from January 29, 2014, through April 17, 2014, in Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, Florida, the defendants used an Electronic Filing Identification Number (“EFIN”), in the name of Canaan Plus Tax, Inc. of Miami Gardens, to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The defendants used the personal identification information (“PII”) of hundreds of individuals, including PII obtained from the Texas Department of Public Safety, to file the fraudulent tax returns. After the fraudulent tax returns were received by the IRS, the defendants arranged to have the tax refund payments deposited onto pre-paid debit cards. After the monies were deposited onto the cards, they were used by the defendants to purchase items and make withdrawals from ATMs in Broward County and elsewhere. The indictment alleges that through the submission of the fraudulent tax returns, the defendants sought to obtain approximately $800,000 in tax refunds.

    The defendants were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to possess fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Strike Force, with special commendation to the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurice A. Johnson.

15. United States v. Kiesha Adderly Mitchell and Melissa Pearl Davis, Case No. 15-20131-CR-Gayles

    On March 5, 2015, Kiesha Adderly Mitchell, 36, and Melissa Pearl Davis, 32, both of Miami, were charged in a seventeen count indictment for their participation in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme.

    According to the indictment, in 2009 the defendants applied to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (“EFIN”) in the name of corporate or fictitious entities they controlled, including K. Mitch Services, Inc. and Pebbles Tax & Notary Services. The defendants submitted false and fraudulent federal income tax returns to the IRS, using the names and Social Security numbers of other individuals, without the taxpayers’ authority. The defendants filed the false and fraudulent tax returns using EFINs, issued in the names of K. Mitch Services Inc. and Pebbles Tax & Notary Services, among others. After the tax returns were received by the IRS, various financial institutions would authorize refund anticipation loans (“RALs”) in the names of fraudulent tax return applicants. The refunds were to be loaded onto debit cards controlled by the defendants. The defendants then used those debit cards for their personal use and enrichment.

    The indictment alleges that the defendants submitted fraudulent tax returns for tax years 2011 through 2013, seeking refunds in amounts ranging between $1,122 and $5,830.

    The defendants were charged with conspiracy to defraud the government with false claims, filing false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Strike Force, with special commendation to the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurice A. Johnson.

16. United States v. Alexander Paul, Case No. 15-20236-CR-Lenard/Goodman.

    On April 7, 2015, Alexander Paul, 23, of North Miami, was charged in a two count information for his participation in an identity theft scheme.

    According to the information, on or about June 5, 2014, the defendant possessed the social security numbers of at least fifteen individuals. The indictment also alleges that the defendant transferred the means of identification, specifically, the name and date of birth, of an individual with the initials “C.F.”

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke C. Watson.

17. United States v. Ashley Leroy, Case No. 15-60009-CR-Bloom

    On January 22, 2015, Ashley Monique Leroy, 26, of Davie, was charged in a three count indictment for her participation in an identity theft scheme.

    According to the indictment, the defendant possessed the social security numbers of at least fifteen individuals. The indictment also alleges that the defendant transferred the means of identification, specifically, the name and date of birth, of two individuals.

    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.

18. United States v. Bash-Dee Antoine Barlatier, Case No. 15-20111-CR-Middlebrooks

    On February 27, 2015, Bash-Dee Antoine Barlatier, 28, of North Miami Beach, was charged in a three count indictment for his participation in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme.

    According to the indictment, Barlatier used the names and social security numbers of other individuals to obtain anything of value aggregating $1,000 or more. The defendant also used the names and debit cards of two individuals in relation to that offense.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, ICE-HSI, and the NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie R. Galvin.

19. United States v. Christ Lamarre, et al., Case No. 15-20109-CR-King

    On February 27, 2015, Christ Lamarre, 24, Antonio Hernandez, 21, and Christopher Carre, 19, all of North Miami Beach, were charged in a five-count indictment for their participation in a conspiracy to commit unemployment insurance fraud.

    According to the indictment, the co-conspirators used the names and social security numbers of other individuals to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. The co-conspirators caused the fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits to be electronically deposited into a bank account they controlled. The defendants then withdrew fraudulent funds from the bank account, using debit cards issued in the name of another individual.

    The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the DOL-OIG, ICE-HSI, and the NMBPD. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie R. Galvin.

20. United States v. Rashad Aquil Emmons and Adrian Claude Green, Jr., Case. No. 15-60057-CR-Bloom

    On March 20, 2015, Rashad Aquil Emmons, 25, of Marietta, GA, and Adrian Claude Green, Jr., 24, of Miami Gardens, were charged in a nine-count indictment for their participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme.

    According the indictment, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy pursuant to which illicit federal tax refunds were deposited by the IRS onto prepaid debit cards. The indictment alleges that from March 17, 2012, through April 5, 2012, Emmons and Green used a number of those prepaid debit cards, registered in the names of various individuals, to purchase a 2007 BMW and a 2009 Mercedes Benz at a car dealership in Broward County.

    The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the IRS-CI and the Aventura Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Long.

21. United States v. Junior St. Fleurose, Case No. 15-20155-CR-Moore

    On March 12, 2015, Junior St. Fleurose, 29, of Miami, was charged with five counts of theft of government funds.

    According to the indictment, from March 30, 2010, through June 16, 2011, Fleurose received a total of approximately $112,665.95 in fraudulent tax refunds via U.S. Treasury checks or electronic funds transfers issued to various payees.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the USSS, IRS-CI, and USPIS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aileen Cannon and Ilham Hosseini.

22. United States v. Michelson Jeancy, Case No. 15-20230-CR-Huck

    On April 3, 2015, defendant Michelson Jeancy, 35, of Miami, was charged by indictment for his participation in an identity theft tax fraud scheme.

    According to the indictment, Jeancy was an employee of a Miami-Dade College. As part of his regular employment, the defendant had access to student records, which contained personal identifying information (“PII”). Between February 2013, and June 2104, the defendant stole the PII of current and former Miami Dade College students. Using the students’ PII, the defendant and his accomplices filed fraudulent tax returns.

    The indictment charges the defendant with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the City of Aventura Police Department, IRS-CI, and FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.

23. United States v. Brandi Mary Janice Stroman, et. al, Case No. 15-60045-CR-Zloch

    On March 10, 2015, Brandi Mary Janice Stroman, 30, of Oakland Park, Dezman Dunbar Zama, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, Cornelius Craig Bosket, 32, of Fort Lauderdale, and Jerrod Dashon Bosket, 26, of Oarlando, were charged in a twenty-four count indictment for their participation in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme.

    According to the indictment, from November 2009, to March 28, 2014, the defendants obtained income tax refunds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in the names of unsuspecting identity theft victims. After coconspirators obtained the personal identification information (“PII), including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth of real persons, the defendants and their coconspirators used the PII to electronically file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) claiming tax refunds to which they were not entitled. The defendants then, in part, used their personal bank accounts to receive the fraudulently obtained tax refunds by direct deposit or through depositing U.S. Treasury tax refund checks to those accounts. The defendants withdrew the money using a variety of methods including making ATM withdrawals, purchasing items or paying their bills, and moving the funds to other accounts.

    The charges in the indictment include conspiracy to commit wire, mail, and bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Identity Theft Strike Force, with special commendation to the FBI and IRS-CI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia R. Wood.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke C. Watson.

24. United States v. Thomas Jerry, III, Case No. 15-20228-CR-Scola

    On April 3, 2015, defendant Thomas Jerry III, 31, of Miami, was charged by indictment for his participation in an identity theft scheme.

    According to the indictment, on or about July 24, 2014, the defendant possessed the social security numbers of at least fifteen individuals. The indictment also alleges that the defendant transferred, possessed and used the means of identification, specifically, the name and social security number, of two individuals.

    The indictment charges the defendant with possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, aggravated identity theft, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

    Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the City of Aventura Police Department, IRS-CI, FBI, ATF, and the City of Miami Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gera Peoples.

    If convicted, the defendants face a possible maximum statutory sentence of ten years in prison for trafficking in or using one or more unauthorized access devices during a one-year period and by such conduct obtains anything of value over $1,000; ten years in prison for stealing government funds; and two years in prison consecutive to any other term for aggravated identity theft.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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.