Area Man Charged with Theft of Tax Payments

A man allegedly stole taxpayer checks meant for the IRS from a lockbox in Tucker and turned them into debit cards in his name, federal prosecutors said.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Jason Shepherd, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on counts of mail fraud, theft of government property and aggravated identity theft, the U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday.

Shepherd allegedly stole taxpayer checks meant for the IRS from a Bank of America lockbox facility in Tucker where he worked, according to the indictment, which charges he took about 50 money orders totaling some $25,000.  The lockbox facility was contracted to process tax payments for the IRS.

“The money orders were allegedly altered and deposited into prepaid debit card accounts controlled by Shepherd,” the department said in a statement.  Shepherd worked at the lockbox facility from June to November 2009.

The mail fraud charges each carry a maximum sentence of 30 years and a fine of as much as $1 million, the statement said. The other charges carry lesser sentences and fines.