Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 17, 2007
Contact : Sue McKinney
FATHER AND DAUGHTER GUILTY
Maxwell Wood United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Albany Division announces the conviction of Marvin Kirk Jones and Shanika Natasha Jones following a weeklong trial before the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia.
Both defendants were charged in a one count superseding indictment with Conspiracy to Defraud the Government with Respect to Claims in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 286. The indictment stated that Marvin Kirk Jones obtained names and social security numbers for inmates within the Georgia Department of Corrections, sometimes with their knowledge and consent and sometimes without, and filed tax returns indicating that the inmates worked making substantial income that entitled them to refunds ranging from $6500.00 to $9000.00. Approximately 30 false returns named in the indictment totaled intended loss with regard to the returns in excess of $200,000. The indictment further alleged that at varying addresses in Americus and Albany, Georgia, Marvin Kirk Jones’daughter, Shanika Natasha Jones received multiple refund checks and procured their cashing.
Both defendants face a sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both, three years supervised release and a mandatory assessment fee of $100.00. Restitution will be considered by the Court at sentencing at a date to be determined.
The case was investigated by Special Agents Brian Slemons and Jacob Adams, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney, Leah E. McEwen.
Any inquiries regarding this case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.
