SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
A Savannah man and 11 other
Georgia residents were indicted in connection with income tax refund.
An indictment was unsealed
Tuesday in federal court. It's the result of a 14-month investigation by IRS
Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
From 2009 to 2011, they
conspired to file at least 90 phony income tax returns using stolen identities,
according to the U.S. District Attorney's Office for the Southern District of
Georgia. The phony tax returns sought IRS refunds totaled more than $500,000.
"These defendants are alleged
to have systematically stolen the identities of others, all in an effort to
steal from the United States taxpayers. The United States Attorney's
Office will hold identity thieves and fraudsters accountable, and will make
sure that the only identity they'll be able to use will be the one stitched on
their prison jumpsuit," said U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver in a statement.
The 12 defendants named in the indictment:
Angela Williamham, 40, Hephzibah
Santana Willingham, 23, Hephzibah
James Butler, 21, Hephzibah
Dentavia McNair, 23, Augusta
Brittney Wright, 25, Evans
Janice Smalley, 47, Augusta
Patrice Roberson, 36, Waynesboro
Cheryl Willingham, 37, Augusta
Matthew Harrington, 45, Savannah
Santrece Willingham, 22, Hephzibah
Lasandra Whitefield, 42, Waynesboro
Kelly Barton, 35, Augusta
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