Augusta, GA: Kamilya Nicholson, 31, Regina Bunyon, 37, Shequita Bush, 29, and Tamaka Smith, 35, all of Waynesboro, Georgia, were each sentenced to federal prison last month by United States District Court Judge J. Randal Hall for their roles in a stolen identity and tax refund scheme.
United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “These defendants abused the trust of the American people to line their own pockets. This Office will continue to work hard every day to ensure those people who cheat the system are held accountable."
“The sentences rendered today is a message to others that there are consequences to stealing and using other individuals’ personal identifying information," stated Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. “Individuals cannot fraudulently enrich their bank accounts at the expense of the United States Treasury and other taxpayers."
The evidence presented at the guilty plea and sentencing hearings established that Nicholson, Bunyon, Bush, and Smith worked together to steal the names, birthdates, and social security numbers of unsuspecting victims, which they then used to file bogus income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service seeking tax refunds. In total, the defendants attempted to defraud the IRS out of approximately $350,000.00 of taxpayers’ money.
For their roles in the scheme, Nicholson was sentenced to 20 months in prison, Bunyon was sentenced to 30 months in prison, Bush was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Smith was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Mr. Tarver noted that parole has been abolished in the federal system.
IRS-CI Special Agent Roger Garland and FBI Special Agent Paul Kubala investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney C. Troy Clark prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
