Talent man gets 14 months for tax evasion, identity theft

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A Talent man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for identity theft and tax evasion.

U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner on Monday sentenced Anthony Gilbert Roth, 57, of Talent to 14 months in federal prison for identity theft and willful failure to file a tax return, said representatives of the Internal Revenue Service.

The case against Roth came to light after unauthorized transactions appeared on the victim's credit report. Investigators discovered Roth had used the victim's Social Security number to obtain loans, credit purchases and credit cards. Roth also used others' Social Security numbers in his appliance repair business to conceal his failure to file tax returns. Roth had not filed tax returns for more than 10 years, IRS agents said.

"Victims of identity theft are usually the last to know they have been victimized," said Kenneth J. Hines, the IRS special agent in charge for the Pacific Northwest.

The investigation was initiated jointly by the IRS and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas W. Fong.

The maximum penalty for identity theft is 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the willful failure to file is one year in prison and a $25,000 fine.

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