By Trend News Line 2024-03-19 17:18:16.
The Sentencing of Christopher Leo Daragjati
In a recent court decision, Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced Christopher Leo Daragjati of Middleburg, Florida, to five years in federal prison. This sentence was imposed on Daragjati for two counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of theft of government property exceeding $1,000. In addition to the prison term, the court also ordered Daragjati to pay $363,099 in restitution. Daragjati had pleaded guilty on July 20, 2023, and had been in custody since his appearance in federal court on March 28, 2023.
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The Crime and Investigation
According to court documents, Daragjati was found to have obtained personal identifiable information (PII) of multiple victims, including their Social Security numbers. The investigation into Daragjati’s activities began in July 2022 when the Clay County Sheriff’s Office initiated an inquiry into an unknown individual who was later identified as Daragjati. It was discovered that Daragjati had been using stolen identities to commit fraud. He had opened commercial lines of credit with Sunbelt Rentals using the PII of victims. After renting equipment worth thousands of dollars from the rental company, Daragjati either pawned or stole the equipment. His actions even led to a felony arrest warrant being issued for an innocent victim.
The Extent of the Fraud
Further investigations by the Florida Highway Patrol – Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence revealed that Daragjati had fraudulently obtained numerous genuine Florida driver licenses and identification cards. It was also found that Daragjati had used two fraudulently obtained Florida identification cards to apply for three Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in the names of two victims. Lenders unknowingly approved these applications, resulting in Daragjati receiving approximately $150,000 in PPP loan proceeds.
The IRS Investigation
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also conducted an investigation, which uncovered that Daragjati had submitted eight fraudulent federal tax returns using the stolen identities of six victims. One of these tax refunds was approved by the IRS, resulting in Daragjati receiving a refund of over $3,000 in the victim’s name. IRS-CI Acting Special Agent In Charge, Lani I Rosado-Espinal, emphasized the importance of bringing identity thieves to justice to maintain the integrity of the tax system.
Law Enforcement Responses
Various law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, worked together to investigate and prosecute Daragjati. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno of HSI Tallahassee reiterated the commitment to stopping individuals who use stolen identities to defraud others.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the sentencing of Christopher Leo Daragjati serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of identity theft and fraud. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies have led to the apprehension and prosecution of Daragjati, sending a strong message to others who may be engaging in similar criminal activities. The case serves as a testament to the dedication of law enforcement in protecting the financial security and well-being of individuals in the community..
Middle District of Florida
Clay County Man Sentenced
Federal Prison
Aggravated Identity Theft
Fraud
Paycheck Protection Program
Tax Charges
Sentenced to Years.
