Investigation finds thousands of dollars lost in tax scheme
An investigation by Senatobia Police Department has resulted in 10 suspects receiving multiple felony charges for false pretense and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Lieutenant Brannon Rushing led the investigation and said the department became aware of the situation on January 26.
“World Finance in Senatobia called the department to report several individuals filed fraudulent documentation with them,” said Rushing.
World Finance is part of a nationwide company that offers financial solutions for people through personal loans in addition to tax preparation and filing services. One of the services available is advance tax refund anticipation loans.
Rushing explained the investigation found individuals were approaching World Finance and providing fraudulent employment documentation and false dependent information in order to file their taxes and receive the advance loans from the company. World Finance learned that the documents were fraudulent when the IRS started accepting tax returns on Jan. 24, 2022. The IRS rejected the returns as invalid, which alerted World Finance to the issue.
Rushing said the loans given out ranged from $500 to $1250. The cumulated loan amounts plus the fees for their services resulted in a total loss for the company in the amount of $11,250.
In total, the investigation resulted in 10 individuals being charged, one of whom is listed as Tamesha Thomas, 29, of Senatobia.
Thomas was charged with one count felony false pretense and nine counts of felony conspiracy to commit a crime. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Thomas is the owner of Meisha Taxes LLC, a tax service company located at 449 Dougherty Street, in Coldwater. The BBB profile of the company lists the business as opening in July 2020. On April 18, commonly known as Tax Day in the US, Thomas was booked, transported to the Tate County jail, and held on $55,000 bond.
Also charged on April 18 was Kireocus Liggins, 27, of Senatobia; Dantravius Jackson, 22 of Senatobia; and Thomas Milan, 51 of Senatobia.
Liggins, Jackson and Milan were all charged with one count felony false pretense and one count conspiracy to commit a crime and booked into Tate County jail with a bond of $15,000 each.
Joe Pratcher III, 30, of Sardis, was charged with one count felony false pretense and two counts conspiracy to commit a crime. Pratcher was arrested on April 19, and booked into jail with a bond set at $20,000.
On April 20, Latonya Eason, 40, of Senatobia was charged with one count felony false pretense and two counts conspiracy to commit a crime. She was transported to the jail and held with a bond set at $20,000.
Marquita Young, 29, of Senatobia, was charged on February 25, with one count felony false pretense and one count conspiracy to commit a crime. Young was booked into Tate County jail with a bond set at $15,000.
Three individuals are still at large and wanted in connection with the investigation.
Lashonda Hickombottom, 24, of McComb, is charged with one count felony false pretense and one count conspiracy to commit a crime.
Daysha Fonville, 19, of Senatobia, is charged with one count conspiracy to commit a crime.
Jasmine Fonville, 21, of Senatobia is charged with one count felony false pretense and one count conspiracy to commit a crime.
Over the course of the investigation, Rushing discovered fraudulent receipt of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
“We uncovered evidence that some of the same individuals were involved with application and receipt of the PPP loans,” said Rushing. “Abuse of PPP loans is outside our jurisdiction, but it was reported to the Inspector General Administration in Washington, D.C.”
Rushing stated the amount of the fraudulent PPP loans tallied to a total of $500,000.
Additionally, the investigation found evidence of fraud involving the Rental Assistance of Mississippians Program (RAMP). According to the RAMP website, the program provides up to 15-months of rental and utility assistance to eligible renters unable to make payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rushing said the evidence was reported to RAMP.
“I would encourage anyone contemplating committing a crime which appears to be victimless to reconsider,” said Rushing. “We will investigate to the fullest extent of our ability all cases brought to our attention by businesses who report the crimes.”
SPD is currently asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to call Lt. Rushing at 662-366-1966.
