PROVIDENCE, R.I. Juan Vasquez, 53, of Providence, the mastermind behind a long-running scheme to use the stolen identities of more than 400 individuals on fraudulent tax returns resulting in the receipt of more than $2.6 million in fraudulent tax refunds, was sentenced today to 6 years in federal prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Vasquez ran the scheme out of his business, the former Dominican Supermarket in Pawtucket.
An accomplice to Juan Vasquez, his sister Belkis Vasquez, 50, of Central Falls, was sentenced today to serve 3 years probation, the first 8 months in home detention with GPS electronic monitoring, and was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
Juan Vasquez were ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $2,682,042.88. Belkis Vasquez was ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $325,490.
Juan Vasquez pleaded guilty on Aug. 19, 2016, to one count of conspiracy and one count of aggravated identity theft. Belkis Vasquez pleaded guilty on Aug. 17, 2016, to one count of conspiracy.
The sentences, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation; Shelly A. Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Brian Deck, Resident Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service; and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.
On Sept. 27, 2016, a federal jury convicted Doris Morel 44, of Central Falls, a full-time cashier at the Dominican Supermarket, on one count of conspiracy, one count of theft of government property, four counts of money laundering and four counts of aggravated identity theft. The jury also convicted Erika Tomasino, 44, of Central Falls, a secretary for Juan Vasquez, on one count of conspiracy, one count of theft of government property, three counts of mail fraud, three counts of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Morel and Tomasino are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on Dec. 22, 2106.
According to the governments evidence, for nearly four years, beginning in January 2010, the
defendants participated in a scheme in which they used stolen personal identifying information of more
than 400 individuals, most of whom are residents of Puerto Rico, to file fraudulent tax returns.
According to the governments evidence, fraudulent treasury checks were mailed to various
locations in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York, and later deposited by the co-conspirators into
26 different bank accounts. The bank accounts were controlled by the co-conspirators or other
individuals affiliated with the Dominican Supermarket.
The governments evidence showed that the defendants and their co-conspirators withdrew the
proceeds of the checks, caused others to withdraw some of the proceeds, transferred the proceeds
between accounts, and spent the funds on personal expenses. Additionally, according to the
governments evidence, more than $235,000 of fraudulently obtained funds were transferred to a bank in
the Dominican Republic.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and John P.
McAdams.
The matter was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, with the
assistance of the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the
Pawtucket Police Department.
--DOJ District of Rhode Island
Source: U.S. Secret Service