Eleven people, all of Statesboro or Sylvania, have been indicted in connection with a continuing investigation into tax fraud and identity theft.

Two indictments were unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia in Statesboro after the defendants made their first court appearances in the morning, U.S. Attorney Edward J. Tarver said.

Both of the indictments allege that the defendants illicitly obtained and possessed debit cards and tax refund checks stemming from the preparation and submission of fraudulent tax returns.

"These indictments demonstrate the continued commitment of the United States Attorney's Office to protecting the hard-earned money of honest taxpayers," Tarver said. "Our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and prosecute those who seek to profit from the preparation and filing of fraudulent tax returns."

The defendants were listed as follows:

— Sirbrina Bangs, 26, of Olliff Street in Statesboro;

— Danielle Clark, 26, of Green Street in Statesboro;

— Tameika Raquel Clark, 24, of Johnson Street in Statesboro;

— Dequillia Ann Hill, 43, of Sylvania, Georgia;

— Cierra Roselee Johnson, 22, of Eastview Apartments in Statesboro;

— Aleceia Lovett, 29, of Miller Street Extension;

— Tacarro Nicole Morgan, 25, of Brittany Lane in Sylvania;

— Richard Dean Parker, 60, of Waters Grove Road in Sylvania;

— Eula Mae Tisby Rodriguez, 47, of Long Leaf Street in Sylvania;

— Devang Shah, 32, of Sylvania; and

— Kandice Cierrah White, 25, of Live Oak Road in Sylvania.

These 11 indictees are in addition to the 13 defendants who pleaded guilty by August as part of the same investigation. Authorities say more arrests are expected.

"Today's announcement exemplifies the intense focus on the rigorous pursuit of identity theft by IRS and our law enforcement partners," IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot said. "IRS Criminal Investigation has made investigating refund fraud and identity theft a top priority and we will continue to vigorously pursue those who undermine the integrity of the U.S. tax system."

Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner added: "The Statesboro Police Department has been working with our local and federal counterparts to apprehend the persons responsible for defrauding the government and individuals through a variety of criminal schemes. We are very proud of these partnerships and the results they yield for our citizens. This investigation is just another example of everyone working together, sharing resources, information and expertise for the common good of our community."

Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

FBI Special Agent Marcus Kirkland, IRS Special Agent Gwen Weston and Statesboro police Sgt. James Winskey, assisted by their agencies' colleagues, conducted the investigation which led to the indictments. The U.S. Marshals Service, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia State Probation Office, Sylvania Police Department and the sheriff's offices for Bulloch and Screven counties assisted in the arrests of numerous defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Stewart and Lamont A. Belk are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the federal government.