U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh | U.S. Department of Justice
A Roanoke woman, Alisha Warrick, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for multiple offenses, including filing false tax returns, wire fraud, distributing fentanyl, and illegal firearm sales. Warrick, aged 40, admitted guilt in November 2023 to charges of filing a false claim against the United States, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, distribution of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Court documents revealed that from 2015 to at least 2019, Warrick prepared and filed fraudulent tax returns on behalf of others. She included false employment and wage information or fabricated details about dependents to inflate refunds. Additionally, she filed tax returns using individuals' personal information without their consent.
While awaiting trial on bond, Warrick sold heroin containing fentanyl and two firearms to a confidential informant. One firearm was linked to a previous fatal shooting in Roanoke.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanagh and Kareem Carter from the IRS-CI Washington D.C. Field Office. The investigation involved the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Jones and Kelly McGann led the prosecution.
