DETROIT – A Detroit woman has been sentenced to more time in prison after she failed to report for her sentence in connection with fraud charges, officials said.
Tamara Smith, 39, was sentenced to 18 months for failing to surrender to a United States Marshal in Detroit for her prison sentence, according to a release from Acting United States Attorney, Julie A. Beck.
On June 26, 2024, Smith was sentenced to 60 months in prison for wire fraud and identity theft crimes.
“At that time, Smith was out on bond,” according to the release. “Rather than being taken immediately into custody to commence service of her 60-month sentence, Smith asked for more time on bond, assuring the Court she would voluntarily surrender for service of her sentence when ordered by the Court.”
The Court agreed, and Smith was ordered to surrender for her sentence in Detroit on July 1, 2024.
Despite acknowledging this, Smith failed to surrender, and a warrant for her arrest was issued on July 2, 2024.
The U.S. Marshal’s Service later arrested Smith on July 18, 2024.
“This case should send a message to anyone who deliberately chooses to violate a court order in a criminal case that you will be punished. Orders of courts must be respected and followed. This defendant violated the trust of the court and abused the criminal justice system - she needed to be held accountable,” said Acting United States Attorney Beck.
Her new 18-month sentence for failing to surrender will run consecutively with her 60-month sentence, officials said.
