Elizabeth Calderon, 39, Salinas, California, and Esther Sanchez, also known as Trinidad Carrillo, 54, Salinas, California, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of filing false tax returns, theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, making false statements to federally insured institutions, and conspiracy,
Calderon and Sanchez are charged with conspiring to submit a loan application to Bank of America that contained false information and was supported by counterfeited documents. According to the indictment, beginning on or about November 24, 2010, and continuing to the present, Calderon has been a professional tax return preparer and many of the charges against Calderon arise from this tax work
Calderon and Sanchez were arrested in Salinas and made their initial appearance this afternoon in federal court in San Jose before the Honorable Paul S. Grewal, U.S. Magistrate Judge. Both defendants’ next appearance is scheduled for October 13, 2015 at 9:00 AM before the Honorable Beth Labson Freeman.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count of filing false tax returns and each count of aiding or advising false tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 7206(1) and 7206(2). The maximum sentence for theft of government funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641, is ten years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum penalty for aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A, is two years in prison to run consecutive with the underlying felony and a fine of $250,000. The maximum sentence for making false statements to federally insured institution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014, is thirty years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The maximum penalty for conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Additional fines, penalties and supervised release also may be ordered.
The indictment was announced Acting United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas McMahon.Assistant United States Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
