Yellowhammer Times

Carrie Mae Jones of Mobile, Alabama, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after being found guilty of filing fraudulent tax returns. Court documents show that Jones operated Agee’s Outreach Tax Service and Royalty Queen Tax Service in Mobile, where she prepared at least 34 false or fraudulent tax returns between 2019 and 2022.

U.S. District Judge Terry F. Moorer handed down the sentence and ordered Jones to pay $419,452 in restitution. After serving her prison term, Jones will also be subject to one year of supervised release.

Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office, commented on the case: “Carrie Jones represents many of the unethical tax preparers we advise filers to avoid by doing research on the business before using their services. Not signing tax returns is just one of several indicators that someone is dealing with a ghost preparer. The sentencing of Jones sends a message that unethical return preparers will be held accountable for their criminal activity.”

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama. The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasee Heisterhagen prosecuted the case.