RALEIGH – Four Fayetteville residents pleaded guilty this week in Wake County as part of the continuing investigation into the filing of fraudulent tax returns by local residents.

Kimberly Joe Melvin, 27, of 2917 Dwelle Dr. Apt. A, Latoya Watson, 19, of 1513 Grandview Drive, Khory Shali Robinson, 24, formerly of 522 Campbell Terrace and Teana Marie Cartrette, 23, formerly of 1866 Tryon Drive, Apt. 5, entered guilty pleas to obtaining property by false pretenses.

Wake County District Court Judge Craig Croom sentenced Melvin to a six-month minimum, eight-month maximum prison term. The sentence was suspended and she was placed on supervised probation for 36 months. She was also ordered to pay $1,255 in restitution, perform 150 hours of community service and pay a $500 criminal fine.

Watson was sentenced to a six-month minimum, eight-month maximum prison term. Her sentence was suspended and she was placed on supervised probation for 36 months. She was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and pay a $300 fine.

Robinson was sentenced to a five-month minimum, six-month maximum prison term. His sentence was suspended and he was placed on supervised probation for 36 months, ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and pay a $300 criminal fine.

Wake County Superior Court Judge Stafford Bullock sentenced Cartrette to a 10-month minimum, 12-month maximum prison term. Her sentence was suspended and she was placed on supervised probation for 36 months. She was ordered to serve a 90-day active prison sentence in the Wake County jail as a special condition of probation. Cartrette must also pay a $100 criminal fine.

State’s evidence showed that these individuals filed false North Carolina individual income tax returns representing that they were employed by local businesses and had North Carolina income taxes withheld from their wages. However they were not employed by the businesses and did not have taxes withheld by the companies. The returns were intended to deceive the Department of Revenue and cause the state to issue income tax refunds to them that were greater than they were lawfully entitled to receive.

The charges against Melvin, Watson, Robinson and Cartrette resulted from an investigation by a special agent with the North Carolina Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Last modified on: 10/31/07 03:43:50 PM.