On Wednesday, a 33-year-old Tampa man pleaded guilty to participating in federal income tax fraud scam. He was charged with aggravated identity theft and access device fraud charges. He also admitted to charges that he conspired to defraud the United States Treasury.
Marterrance Q. Holloway entered his guilty plea before U. S. District Judge Elizabeth Jenkins. He is facing a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge, ten years on the fraud charge, and a consecutive two-year prison sentence on the aggravated identity theft charge.
As part of the plea, Holloway also agreed to forfeit two 2010 Chevrolet Camaros, a 2011 Dodge Charger, a 2005 Dodge Magnum, a motor scooter, an Apple iPad, cash and assorted jewelry. All of the items were purchased with the proceeds of his fraud.
Maurice Larry, Holloway’s co-defendant, pleaded guilty to similar charges on April 17th. A sentencing date for Larry is planned for September 23, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. U. S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich will decide his punishment.
According to court documents, Holloway’s plea agreement stated that he and Larry filed fraudulent tax returns from the Howard Johnson Hotel on 50th Street in Tampa.
Larry had reportedly rented the room in his name. Police found four computers in the room that were used to electronically file fraudulent tax returns in the names of deceased individuals.
Investigators also located pages from an Internet website, along with ledgers and lists of stolen names, dates of birth and social security numbers. Some of the names included specific codes to be used for electronic filing purposes or notes about whether a tax return had been either accepted or rejected.
Several “Turbo Tax” reloadable debit cards were found in the room, along with ATM receipts for cash withdrawals, and $3,700 in cash. Both Holloway and Larry admitted to filing fraudulent tax returns while staying at the hotel.
They were both charged in a thirty-nine count federal indictment. Holloway and Larry were charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and access device fraud.
A year later, Holloway used a fraudulent debit card at a local bank ATM machine. The debit card was loaded with the proceeds of a fraudulently filed tax return in the amount of over $9,800.
Holloway was also arrested in September 2011 during the first roundup of “Operation Rainmaker.”
A sentencing date for Holloway has not been set.
