ATLANTA - Frederick Roberts has been sentenced to serve over seven years in federal prison for filing fraudulent federal and state tax returns and for stealing the identities of his victims.
“Identity thieves who file fraudulent tax returns rob from the public fisc and cause immeasurable damage to the innocent victims whose names were stolen," said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “We have a duty to protect the tax dollars paid by hardworking Americans, and we will not stand idly by while criminals like Roberts steal those funds."
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: Roberts prepared fraudulent federal and state income tax returns using stolen identities. He submitted tax returns in other people’s names seeking large refunds and had the checks sent to an address where he could retrieve the mail. He cashed the refund checks with unscrupulous check cashers, who were willing to accept the checks even though none of them were in Roberts’ name. Roberts sought over $899,000 in refunds between May 2009 and March 2011, and he actually received $866,436.66.
“Identity thieves are becoming more devious, creative, and conniving," said Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation. “They steal our identities, steal government money and prey upon our citizens. Be assured that IRS Criminal Investigation, with our law enforcement partners, will continue to be proactive in the investigation of individuals who engage in similar behavior. IRS is extremely grateful for the cooperation and assistance we have received from our partners at the local, state and federal level, especially the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Service and the Georgia Department of Revenue."
“The United States Secret Service and our law enforcement partners take an aggressive approach towards investigating those who commit identity theft and bank fraud. We will continue to work closely with prosecutors to ensure offenders are put behind bars," said Reginald G. Moore, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office.
Roberts, 51, of Atlanta, Ga., was sentenced today by United States District Judge William S. Duffey, Jr., to seven years, three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $866,436.66. Roberts was convicted on these charges on March 8, 2013, after he pleaded guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Georgia Department of Revenue Office of Special Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Bly prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
