New York Man Indicted for Identity Theft

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - Bolarinwa Salau, 30, of Rockaway Beach, New York, has been charged with identity theft.

According to the court documents, West Virginia State Police stopped a vehicle driven by Salau. Salau was found in possession of means of identification of other people in connection with a stolen identity refund fraud scheme, often referred to as "SIRF." This type of fraud involves the use of stolen personal information, including a social security number, to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. Salau is charged with possessing such documents with the intent to engage in unlawful activity.

Salau faces up to five years in federal prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge would determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the West Virginia State Police with assistance from The Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.