Lee detectives: I-75 traffic stop reveals identity theft tax scheme

A traffic stop on Interstate 75 on Wednesday ended with two people arrested, accused of stealing the identity of 100 people to commit tax fraud.

The Lee County sheriff’s detectives observed the front seat passenger of a Nissan Altima holding an open beer can while the vehicle was traveling southbound on I-75. Detectives also saw a small child, approximately 3-years-old, in the vehicle who was not properly restrained, Lee arrest reports said.

During the traffic stop, detectives say they made contact with Willie Charles Edward Moses, 32, who was holding the beer can. They advised him they were going to issue a warning. After being told this, Moses still appeared extremely nervous, according to reports. Detectives found that Rashica Shaguana Ford, 33, the rear passenger, had rented the vehicle and James Harold Eddins, 21, was driving it on a suspended license.

During a search, detectives located a safe in the trunk which Ford said belonged to her. Inside were three notebooks which contained identity information commonly associated with Turbo Tax fraud. More than 100 victims were discovered. Their information was used to commit income tax fraud. A detailed list of their information, lists of income tax filings, money expected from these filings, and which fraudulent cards these monies were placed on, were inside the safe, reports said.

The three suspects were taken to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and interviewed by the Secret Service Task Force. During the interviews, both Ford and Moses admitted to the identity theft fraud. Reports say Moses explained the intricate details of the operation to detectives.

Moses and Ford, both of Bradenton, are facing charges of 51 counts of fraud, using another persons identification. Eddins, of Sarasota, is facing charges of driving on a suspended license.