Alabama Man Sentenced After Swindling US Government and Others

They say the love of money is the root of all evil and, in the case of Kartarius Johnson, that seems to be the case.

AL.com reported Thursday that Kartarius Johnson, also known as Tareeq Akhil Anad, received a sentence of 19 years in prison for his fraudulent acts.

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Johnson scammed the U.S. Government and others for $8 million dollars. Per the report, Johnson was convicted of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements to both the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.

Per the report, Sean Costello, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, stated that Johnson committed these crimes by using language that “sovereign citizens,” or people who believe federal law doesn’t apply to them would use.

AL.com noted Johnson entered into contracts with several third parties, including auto dealers from Mobile, Arizona and California to purchase multiple Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce vehicles.

Johnson also entered into an agreement to purchase a house in Daphne, AL, for $4 million. Johnson didn’t have the capital to make any of these purchases.

Johnson reportedly attempted to take advantage of COVID-19 relief funds from the Small Business Administration. From 2015 to 2018 Johnson received over $800,000 in Federal tax credits for the claimed use of biodiesel fuel.

Instead of using the aid to purchase the actual fuel, he spent the money on cars, jewelry, clothing, vacations and take care of his child support payments, per reporting from AL.com. A federal judge sentenced Johnson to 19 years of incarceration and five years of supervised release. Johnson will also complete court-ordered drug testing, treatment and a mental evaluation.