Montgomery Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Tax Fraud Scheme

       Montgomery, Alabama – On December 5, 2016, Jarvarus Antwon Smith, 31, of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 1 year in prison following his conviction on federal access device fraud charges, announced George L. Beck, Jr., United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

       Evidence collected during the investigation established that in June 2013, officers with the Montgomery Police Department (MPD) executed a search warrant at Smith’s Montgomery residence after MPD developed Smith as a subject in another case.  During the search, officers located 25 debit cards, mostly in the names of other individuals, notebooks containing personal identifying information of 59 individuals, and account numbers.  It was later determined that this and other personal information was used to file over 135 fraudulent federal income tax returns.

       In addition to the imprisonment, Smith will be subject to a three-year term of supervised release after prison and he is ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $92,952.

       “Jarvarus Smith defrauded the government and the taxpaying public,” stated Special Agent in Charge Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot.  “The outcome of this investigation is a direct result of a persistent effort to identify and eliminate refund fraud.  We are approaching filing season and the judgment against Smith should serve as a warning to anyone considering similar criminal activities.”

       “My office has always placed a high priority on protecting taxpayer dollars,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck.  “I would like to commend the efforts of all the law enforcement agencies involved for helping us bring Smith to justice.” 

       This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, United States Secret Service, and the Montgomery Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Todd A. Brown prosecuted the case.