In a case that is part of a law enforcement initiative to crack down on mortgage fraud, a federal jury in Tampa found Jessica Murillo guilty on a charge of wire fraud affecting a financial institution.

Murillo, who has a New Jersey address, submitted false tax returns that did not accurately reflect her income when she bought a new four-bedroom, three-bath home in Tampa for $345,000, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. Her income was as little as $10,395 a year, while the false tax returns claimed $96,760, the release said, citing facts presented at trial and court documents.

When she was unable to pay the mortgage, she convinced her new neighbors to invest their life savings with her, defrauding them out of hundreds of thousand of dollars, the release said.

Murillo faces up to 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date is set for Oct. 1 before US. District Judge Richard Lazzara.

The case is part of the Middle District of Florida’s mortgage fraud imitative, a joint effort by the U.S. Attorney’s office, and other federal, state and local law enforcement  agencies

Read more: Tampa jury issues guilty verdict in mortgage fraud case - Tampa Bay Business Journal