OXFORD, MS. William C. Lamar, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, together with Thomas J. Holloman, III, Special Agent in Charge of IRS - Criminal Investigation, announced today that a Pontotoc, Mississippi woman was sentenced on Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock to 21 months incarceration followed by three years supervised release for identity theft and stealing government funds.
Tracy Smith of Pontotoc, Mississippi, had previously pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds. Evidence submitted at the change of plea hearing showed that Smith obtained the personal identifying information of numerous individuals and used that information to file fraudulent tax returns and generate fraudulent tax refunds for her personal benefit. Smith was ordered to pay $224,578 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar remarked: “When individuals in our society choose to steal the identity of others in order to file fraudulent tax returns, they create long-lasting consequences and hardships for the people who have been victimized that go far beyond delayed tax returns. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to hold these individuals accountable by vigilantly prosecuting those who choose to victimize our citizens and steal money from the US Treasury."
Thomas J. Holloman, III, Special Agent in Charge of IRS - Criminal Investigation, stated, “Stolen Identity Refund Fraud is a high priority for the Special Agents of IRS - CI. Tracy Smith’s tax fraud is a direct theft from the U S Treasury and the taxpayers we are sworn to protect. She will now serve time in prison for her victimization of Mississippi taxpayers, and every day of her prison term is a well-deserved reward for her criminal actions."
This case was investigated by the IRS - Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by AUSA Clay Dabbs.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
