WALDORF WOMAN CHARGED WITH THEFT AND FILING FALSE TAX RETURNS

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the indictment of Trecia Lynn Jones, of the 6100 block of Tapir Place in Waldorf Maryland, by the Anne Arundel County Grand Jury.

The 39-year-old Jones was indicted December 23, 2005 on two counts of felony theft and numerous tax crimes in connection with her income tax returns for the tax years 2002 and 2003. The indictment alleges that Jones gave false information relating to her gross income, adjusted gross income, itemized deductions, and withholding taxes on her state and federal income tax returns. Jones used these returns to receive more than ten thousand dollars in refunds from the State of Maryland and the United States Treasury. An initial appearance has been scheduled for January 23, 2006 in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Jones was processed by the Maryland State Police, and she has been served with a subpoena and the Criminal Information.

While a criminal information or charge is merely an accusation of wrongdoing and every individual is presumed innocent unless the State proves the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, felony theft is punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years and up to a $10,000.00 fine. The maximum penalty for filing a false income tax return is 10 years.

The case was referred to the Office of the Attorney General by the Maryland Comptroller’s Office. It was investigated by the Maryland State Police and is being prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigations Division.