PRESS RELEASE: Alabama Man, Kenneth Fearson, Sentenced to Prison for His Role in Stealing Identities from His Employer

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 14, 2016

Alabama Man Sentenced to Prison for His Role in Stealing Identities from His Employer

A Phenix City, Alabama man was sentenced to 24 months in prison today for his role in a stolen identity refund fraud (SIRF) scheme, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo, head of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. of the Middle District of Alabama.

According to documents filed with the court, Kenneth Fearson, 31, worked at a warehouse that contained employee records for a Columbus, Georgia, company. The warehouse contained employees’ Forms W-4. Fearson assisted in selling the Forms W-4 to other individuals, including Charnesha Alexander. Alexander and others used these Forms W-4 to prepare and file fraudulent tax returns.

Fearson pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft in July. Following his prison term, Fearson will serve six months of supervised release. In March, Alexander was sentenced to 111 months in prison.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Beck commended special agents of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Michael Boteler and Michael Hatzimichalis of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross, who are prosecuting this case.