BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
A 30-year-old man who entered into a plea agreement on income tax fraud charges, has been sentenced to 65 months in federal prison. U. S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday sentenced Jermaine Lippett to 65 months on Thursday. He was arrested on a 16-count indictment last September.
Judge Merrday agreed with the defense that Lippett serve his sentence at a minimum security facility. However, the judge gave him a very strong lecture regarding the number of innocent lives that are being affected by the tax fraud activity.
According to the indictment, Jermaine Lippett conspired with Ms. Whitley Ann Glover to cash federal income tax checks in the names of other people.
The checks were made payable to people whose identity had been stolen. Ms. Glover was a teller at a Lakeland based credit union at the time. She was allegedly paid $200 to deposit the checks by an unidentified acquaintance.
Lippett entered a plea on the charges of conspiracy, theft or conversion of government funds, and aggravated identity theft. He must also pay fines, restitution, and be on supervision upon his release.
Ms. Glover was arrested December 4th in Polk County and charged with forgery.
Attorney Grady Irvin, Jr., who represented Lippett said, “He received 65 months in federal prison because he wasn’t charged with aggravated identity theft. He avoided an additional 20 years in prison because of that.
“The prosecutor who is involved in these tax fraud cases in sending a message that the government is going to prosecute anyone convicted of tax fraud.”
Attorney Irvin further stated that each count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory 2-year sentence that must run consecutive to other sentences.
