In a press conference Friday, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor announced that a total of 49 people had been arrested in a year-long investigation into tax fraud.

Tampa Police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office discovered the tax scam (known in slang terms as “The Drop”) and began investigating it on a case-by-case basis. The agencies realized the scam was taking place in large proportions and joined forces with the U. S. Secret Service and U. S. Postal Inspection Service. They formed the “Cash Back” Task Force in March to tackle the problem. The task force uncovered various schemes the defendants utilized to cash the illegally obtained treasury funds.

The result of the task force arrests was $100 million intercepted tax dollars, $5 million recovered tax dollars and assets, and $25 million stolen tax dollars.

This week, Operation Rainmaker culminated with the execution of six search warrants. Five of the warrants targeted businesses that are laundering stolen tax dollars. The sixth warrant was executed at a suspect’s home All of the suspects are facing charges for utilizing fake identities to file fraudulent tax returns online.[private]

Seized Vehicles

Listed below are the targeted businesses, seized property, and the arrests made:

Empire Street Wear, 1925 East Fletcher Avenue; seized property was business computers and files, $19,763 in cash, $58,306.40 in money orders, and $123,266,38 in U. S. Treasury Checks. A rental vehicle was seized on the property, and inside was found $7,730 in cash, $124,086 , in U. S. Treasury Checks, and $7,630 in cash.

Palace Fashions, 2525 East Hillsborough Avenue; seized property was $4,625 in cash. Arrested on 33 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card and ID theft was Raid Faria.

Advanced Auto Sales, 5018 N. 22nd Street; seized property, $2,700 in cash, and $10,500 in money orders.

Suit World, 5202 North 22nd Street; seized property, $10,162 in cash and five Turbo Tax cards. Arrested was Reem Faria for felon in possession of a firearm.

Simmons Auto Sales, 4615 North 34th street; seized property was $25,000 in cash, $13,000 in money orders, $75,000 worth of jewelry, 134 turbo tax cards, a Bentley automobile, 2 Jaguars, 2 computers and business records. Russell Simmons, Jr. was arrested and charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, Identity theft, and grand theft.

2118 East Caracas Street; seized property was 8 cars, $800 in cash, 3 sets of 28” rims valued at $22,500, a 73” flat screen television, 128 grams of marijuana, and 22 turbo tax cards.

Marterrence Q. Holloway, who authorities have identified as the leader of the tax fraud scheme, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession of marijuana. He also violated probation for failing to appear for a court hearing.

Arrested at Holloway’s residence was Kenneth Goodson, Quincy Wimberly, and Janica Bullock. They were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of marijuana.

In Operation Rainmaker, there were 12 state felony arrests for identity thefts. The United States Secret Service seized a laptop, cellular phone and bank records from a dumpster in the Jackson Court Apartments.

A total of 19 vehicles were seized, and $130 million in cash and property.[/private]

Pictured (l to r, top row): Russell Simmons, Jr., Janica Bullock and Reem Faria (bottom row) Quincy Wimberly, Marterrence Holloway, and Kenneth Goodson

***Look for full story in Tuesday’s Sentinel***