Fort Myers, Florida - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Ramon Almengo (47, Fort Myers) with conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The Indictment also notifies Almengo that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $2,053,328.28, the proceeds of offense. An arraignment is scheduled for March 27, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas N. Frazier.
Almengo was previously charged by a criminal complaint on March 11, 2014.
According to court documents, Almengo owned and operated Mi Bodegon Latino y Mas, Inc, in Fort Myers, Florida. Almengo allegedly cashed approximately $2,053,328.28 worth of United States Treasury tax refund checks that were generated as a result of fraudulently filed tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, utilizing stolen personal identification information. Almengo retained 20% of each check that he cashed on behalf of the conspirators.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
