BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A 23-year-old Tampa woman was sentenced to more than 5 years for income tax refund fraud and stolen identity. Police became aware of the illegal activity after she reported a burglary at her apartment.

U. S. Attorney’s Office, U. S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday sentenced Ms. Remesa Alexandria Buemer to 5 years and 5 months in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, Ms. Buemer reported a burglary at her apartment on September 15, 2011. When the officers entered the apartment, they reportedly observed several new and high end items in the apartment.

When officers asked permission to search the premises, Ms. Buemer agreed. During the search, police found numerous notebooks containing personal information of several individuals. The officers also found medical records from U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs that also contained identifying personal information.

Twenty-three prepaid debit cards were located, showing that Ms. Buemer had filed fraudulent tax returns in the names of other people. She used the cards to purchase furniture, jewelry, and to withdraw money from ATMs.

Authorities said Ms. Buemer filed false income tax returns from January through September of 2011.

Ms. Buemer was arrested in November 2012, and entered a guilty plea on January 17, 2013. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $462,039.60. She could have received the maximum sentence of twenty-two years in federal prison.