Josue Faustin of Miami, Florida was indicted in federal court Thursday after he was accused of using stolen identities to open debit accounts and file fraudulent tax returns, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. Faustin, 20, faces charges of aggravated identity theft, theft of government property, conspiracy, and possession of unauthorized access devices. It is not yet known whether he has hired a lawyer, nor is it known whether he has been released from prison on bail bond.
According to reports, most of Faustin's victims are South Florida residents, though authorities are not yet sure how Faustin acquired their information. An exact number of victims has not yet emerged, and police have not yet specified whether they are searching for an accomplice or accomplices. In any case, Faustin allegedly used the stolen identities to siphon money from the IRS. First, he allegedly opened debit accounts in Broward County. Once the accounts were set up, Faustin reportedly filled out falsified tax returns using the same identities. The IRS deposited the tax returns into the debit accounts, which Faustin allegedly drained using ATMs. It is unclear how much money Faustin is suspected of stealing in this way.
The Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation division led in the investigation against Faustin, though it is unclear what first triggered their suspicions. If convicted on all the charges, Faustin could face up to 30 years in prison.
In other news, authorities in South Florida have announced the arrests of four suspects in an ongoing pill mill investigation, news sources indicate. Jorge Trelles of Palmetto Bay, along with Miami residents William Walker, Margaret Tucker, and Steve Miller, were arrested Monday after they were accused of trafficking oxycodone pills throughout Florida. Each defendant was charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone and one count of racketeering. It is unclear whether they qualified for bail or hired legal representation.