Douglas Michael Young (a/k/a “Douglas Pierre”) and Nicole Young (a/k/a “Nicole Pierre” and “Nicole Pierre Smith”) were sentenced Thursday for their participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme. They had previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal government property, one count of theft of government property, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
On October 5, 2011, six defendants were charged in a nine count indictment for their participation in a tax refund scheme that resulted in the submission of approximately $1,207,389.00 in fraudulent claims for refunds using the personal identification information of unknowing individuals. In addition to the Youngs, Jeffrey Andre Young, Jr., 31, and Ernest V. Charles, 37, both of Miami, and Joseph Bshara, 27, and Siham Benabdallah, 23, both of Miami Shores, Florida, were also charged in the indictment. Young, Jr., Benabdallah, and Bshara pled guilty and were sentenced. Charles remains at large.
According to the indictment, the Youngs owned and operated two tax preparation companies, Supreme Tax and Young Professional Services, Inc. The Youngs would obtain identification information from unknowing victims and use their identification information without their authorization to file fraudulent refund claims.
Douglas Young was sentenced to 61 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Nicole Young was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, the defendants were ordered to pay joint and several liability restitution in the amount of $849,052.87.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida