Orlando Man Pleads Guilty To Stolen Identity Refund Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Michael Carvalho today pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the theft of government property and a consecutive 2-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft count. Carvalho also agreed to a money judgment in the amount of $2,223,083.44, representing the amount of illicit proceeds gained from the theft, and forfeiture of the contents of three JPMorgan Chase accounts and real properties located at 2615 S. Goldenrod Road, Orlando, Florida, and 2045 Shadow Drive, Geneva, Florida.

According to the plea agreement, from approximately October 2011 through September 2013, Carvalho passed or attempted to pass more than 441 federal tax refund checks in excess of $2.9 million at six banks in the Middle District of Florida. The checks were fraudulently obtained and/or contained falsely made or forged endorsements or signatures. Along with others, Carvalho deposited these instruments on 180 different days, over a two-year period.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.