4 suspects allegedly stole $93M through COVID fraud scheme
Share this @internewscast.com


Four Southern California suspects were charged with allegedly defrauding the government of $93 million through a COVID tax fraud scheme.

The theft is the largest known COVID-related fraud scheme in the U.S., according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The suspects were identified as:

  • Kristerpher Turner, aka “Kris Turner,” “Red,” “Red Boy” and “Bullet,” 52, of Harbor City
  • Toriano Knox, aka “Scooby,” and “Dwight,” 55, of Los Angeles
  • Kenya Jones, aka “Kenya Emua Jones,” and “Kenya Hunt,” 46, of Compton
  • Joyce Johnson, a.k.a. “Ms. Jay,” 55, of Victorville

The alleged crimes took place from June 2020 to December 2024. The group and their co-conspirators submitted fraudulent tax forms for at least 148 companies, authorities said. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized tax credits, including “sick and family wage credits.”

Small businesses could seek refunds on tax returns by claiming the credit, known as Coronavirus Response Credits, which reimbursed businesses for wages that were paid to employees who couldn’t work due to the pandemic.

According to the indictment, Turner and his accomplices would submit fraudulent forms to claim those credits, sometimes on behalf of companies that didn’t exist and also on behalf of people they recruited to join the scheme.

“Turner would direct and manage recruiters, including Knox and Jones, to recruit fraud clients, including romantic partners,” court documents said. “Fraud clients would provide their personal identifying information to be used to establish fake businesses and prepare fraudulent tax filings. Others would provide information about preexisting businesses that were ineligible to receive Coronavirus Response Credits so that the co-conspirators could use that information to file fraudulent tax filings on behalf of those businesses.”

The suspects would receive checks in the mail and deposit them into bank accounts that were opened under false business names. For each person who obtained a government check, Turner would reportedly collect between 20% to 40% of the money received.

Through this scheme, the suspects had sought over $247 million in tax refunds. They were ultimately successful in stealing around $93 million through IRS-issued checks.

At some point during the years-long operation, the suspects learned that IRS officials were investigating the scheme.

Sometime around Aug. 29, 2023, Knox, Jones and other unidentified suspects, attempted to kill Turner to prevent him from speaking to law enforcement about the fraud, court documents said.

Turner was shot multiple times at an office park in Gardena. He survived the shooting and remains paralyzed. 

On June 11, 2025, Turner, Knox, Jones and Johnson were charged with mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and conspiracy to submit false claims. Knox and Jones were also charged with attempting to kill a witness and using a firearm in furtherance of that crime.

If convicted of all charges, all four would face up to 20 years in prison on each mail fraud charge. Knox and Jones could face life imprisonment on the firearm charge and 30 years on the attempted murder charge.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Lithuanian President Pays Tribute to Four Fallen Fort Stewart Soldiers

FORT STEWART, Ga. () — Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has posthumously bestowed…

Man Sentenced for Murdering Girlfriend and Staging It as a Suicide

Editor’s Note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised.…

Dershowitz Claims to Be Aware of Names on Epstein’s Client List

Lawyer Alan Dershowitz on Thursday said he knows the list of names…

Denver Bar Introduces the $2,500 “Gilded Martini” Cocktail

DENVER (KDVR) Tucked away in an alley, inside a hotel that was…

Interactive Map: Locations of Confirmed Flash Flooding Deaths in Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) At least 120 people have been killed in catastrophic flash…

Beaufort Businesses Expect a Bustling Week Amid Seawall Closure and Water Festival Adjustments

BEAUFORT, S.C. () — In the upcoming 10 days, visitors are anticipated…

Tear Gas Used at Protest Against Immigration Raid in Ventura County

Editor’s note: affiliate KTLA reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland…

UPDATE: Harmful Algae Bloom Renders Mattoon Tap Water Unsafe, Poses Health Risks

Update at 7:30 p.m. MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — The entire City of…

Recently Released from ICE Custody, Mahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Administration for $20 Million

NEW YORK – One afternoon, Mahmoud Khalil found himself in his Manhattan…

Savoy Resident Charged with Illegal Weapon Possession After Child Battery Investigation

A 28-year-old man from Savoy, identified as Latroy Hodges, was taken into…

Texas Flooding: Wildlife Rescue Center Provides Sanctuary to More Than 200 Animals

AUSTIN (KXAN) – As Central Texas grappled with historic flooding over the…

Storm Team 3: Expect More Storms on Friday with a Hot and Dry Weekend Ahead

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Thursday afternoon was very stormy as expected. We…