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South Florida Man Indicted for Theft of Federal Tax Refund Checks

April 16, 2018

South Florida Man Indicted for Theft of Federal Tax Refund Checks

On March 8, 2018, in the Southern District of Florida, Richard David was indicted for theft of Government money,1specifically stolen U.S. Treasury checks that had been issued as tax refunds to other individuals.2According to the court documents, on or about February 23, 2018, a Confidential Source (CS) reported that David had been selling stolen Treasury checks. Several subsequent telephone calls between David and the CS were conducted and recorded with the consent of the CS. During those conversations, David offered to sell the CS two stolen Federal tax refund checks totaling approximately $5,000, and the CS agreed to purchase the checks from David for approximately half of their face value. The two agreed to meet behind a store located in North Miami Beach, Florida, to complete the transaction.3On February 26, 2018, David met with the CS as agreed. After producing the stolen Federal tax refund checks, David was arrested by special agents of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.4Additional legal action is anticipated.5If convicted, David could face a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.6

1S.D. Fla. Indict. filed Mar. 8, 2018.2S.D. Fla. Crim. Compl. filed Feb. 27, 2018.3Id.4Id.5S.D. Fla. Crim. Docket as of Mar. 14, 2018.6S.D. Fla. Indict. filed Mar. 8, 2018.