Tampa Tax Fraudster Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

TAMPA—U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Kesham Evans, Jr. to two years in federal prison on one count of aggravated identity theft charged in connection with Evans cashing two fraudulent Treasury checks. Evans pleaded guilty on January 4, 2014.

According to court documents, on two occasions in July 2013, Evans sold a United States Treasury check, at a discounted price, to undercover law enforcement agents. These U.S. Treasury checks were issued as a result of tax returns filed in the names of individuals who were victims of identity theft. They had a total face value of more than $25,000. At least one of the victims confirmed that he did not file a tax return and that the U.S. Treasury check issued in his name was fraudulent. The victim did not know Evans nor did he authorize Evans to endorse a check issued in his name.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.