Page 36 - Florida Sentinel 11-25-16 Online Edition

Crime
Tax Fraud Scheme:
Man Must Repay $1,933,826; Spend 8.5 Years In Prison
Last Thursday afternoon, a U. S. District Judge handed down a prison term and or- dered him to pay $1,933,826.37 in restitution. He pleaded guilty to several charges in June 2016.
During that hearing, Cedric Clark, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspir- ing to commit theft of govern- ment funds, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
In addition to paying the restitution, U. S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Ko- vachevich ordered Clark to atermof8yearsand5 months in federal prison.
According to the plea agree- ment, between October 2010 and June 2013, Clark was one of the participants in a
CEDRIC CLARK
... Sentenced to 12 years in prison
scheme to obtain the personal
identification information of more than 1,158 individuals. This information was then used to file false federal in- come tax returns in their names, attempting to obtain large refunds from the govern- ment.
Clark controlled a post of- fice box where many of the fraudulent refund checks were mailed. He also was in control of several bank accounts at various financial institutions where tax income tax refunds were mailed by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Internal Revenue Serv- ice paid a total of $637,621.62 to accounts Clark controlled. Several other returns were filed, but were rejected by the IRS.
Man Injured In Nightclub Parking Lot Shooting
The Tampa Police Depart- ment responded to a local bar in reference to shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers learned that a man suffered non-life threatening injuries.
According to police, the in- cident took place shortly be- fore 9 p.m., Sunday in the parking lot of the Pegasus Lounge, 10008 N. 30th Street.
The investigation revealed that Anthony D. Martin, 45, of Tampa, was involved in an argument with another man. At some point during the quar- rel, shots were fired and Mar- tin received minor injuries. Police said Martin drove him- self to a local hospital for treat- ment.
Officers were able to obtain
a description of the suspect’s vehicle and said the suspect fled the scene in a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
A short distance away from the scene, officers located the truck and conducted a traffic stop. The suspect was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehi- cle.
Police said the suspect had a gun in his possession and a valid concealed weapon per- mit.
No charges have been filed in connection with the inci- dent. However, the case has been referred to the Hillsbor- ough County State Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed.
Elderly Woman Charged With Bank Robbery
A 65-year-old woman walked into the St. Petersburg Police Department Monday and said she wanted to turn herself in. When the officer asked about the crime she had committed, she told him she had robbed a bank.
According to the St. Peters- burg Police Department, an elderly woman walked into the Bank of America, 1135 62nd
Avenue, North, shortly after noon on November 7th. The woman passed a note to the teller that stated she had a bomb.
The woman was given an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.
After completing their inves- tigation, Ms. Janice Ellinwood was taken into custody and charged with bank robbery.
Police Officer Injured In Wrong Way Accident
A Tampa Police officer was injured in a traffic accident early Monday. The accident oc- curred at the intersection of E. Kennedy Blvd., and S. Hyde Park Avenue.
According to police, Officer Keith Barnum was driving eastbound on E. Kennedy Blvd., when a vehicle driven by Ronald Sayegh entered his path of travel from S. Hyde Park Avenue. South Hyde Park Avenue is a one-way south- bound street.
The airbags in both vehicles deployed, but Sayegh was not injured. Officer Barnum was treated and released from a local hospital.
Police have determined that no alcohol or narcotics were factors in the case.
Sayegh told police he was unaware that Hyde Park was a one-way street.
No arrest have been made and the investigation is contin- uing.
Police Responding To Domestic Complaint Discovers Grow House
BARBARA WILSON EDUARDO AGUILER
JANICE ELLINWOOD
... surrendered to police BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT
Two people were taken into custody Monday after police were called about a domestic disturbance. When deputies arrived at the home at 725 Chilt Drive, in Brandon, they realized that the call was in error. However, they did de- tect a strong odor of mari- juana.
The deputies who re- sponded to the home met with Ms. Barbara Wilson, 42, and 34-year-old Eduardo Jesus Estevez Aguilera, and determined that there was no altercation. They stated that a loud television may have been the source of the com- plaint.
However, the strong odor resulted in police obtaining a search warrant and returned to the home. Upon executing the search warrant, detectives discovered that the garage had
been converted for the sole purpose of cultivating mari- juana.
Police seized approximately 18.35 pounds of processed marijuana. The street value of the cannabis is estimated at $36,700.
Tampa Electric Company also responded to the resi- dence and discovered an ille- gal electrical connection providing unmetered electric- ity to the home. The theft of electricity is estimated at $5,185.70, police said.
Ms. Wilson and Estevez were both taken into custody and charged with possession of cannabis, grand theft, third degree, and manufacturing of cannabis. They were also charged with 3 counts of child neglect because three children live at the residence and were there at the time.
UNCLE SANDY SAYS...
Adults may not 16, 27 need permission 38, 41, to attempt a task, only encouragement. 40, 49.
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