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Press Release

Boulder Man Arrested For Money Laundering Charges In Relation To Distribution Of A Controlled Substance

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado

DENVER – Taylor Smith Hills, age 25, of Boulder, Colorado, was arrested last week for drug related money laundering charges, the United States Attorney’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Boulder County Drug Task Force announced.  Hills was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on January 29, 2013, for money laundering in relation to distribution of a controlled substance, illegal use of the mail, false statement in a loan application and failure to pay taxes.  His initial appearance took place the following day in Denver, where he was advised of his rights. 

According to the indictment, from March 31, 2011 through May 1, 2012, Hills allegedly engaged in financial transactions, which transactions involved the proceeds of specified unlawful activity, that is, the distribution of controlled substances.   The indictment further states that the defendant allegedly conducted financial transactions while knowing that the property involved in each transaction represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity.       

Furthermore, Hills did knowingly and willfully make a false statement or report for the purpose of influencing the action of JP Morgan Chase, a federally insured financial institution, in connection with a vehicle loan application.  Lastly, beginning on or about April 15, 2012, and continuing through on or about January 29, 2013, Hills knowingly and willfully failed to file an income tax return and pay income tax due and owing to the United States for the calendar year 2011.

Upon conviction of the violations alleged in the indictment Hills shall forfeit to the United States, any and all of the defendants’ right, title and interest in all property, real or personal, involved in such offenses, or all property traceable to such property, including but not limited to the following:  2008 Ducati motorcycle, and U.S. currency located in a Roth IRA.

“Thanks to the joint efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, a defendant involved in money laundering proceeds from the distribution of a controlled substance has been arrested for his misdeeds,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.

“Drug trafficking organizations have to launder large sums of their illicit proceeds, often through financial institutions and other investment vehicles,” said Kumar Kibble, special agent in charge of HSI Denver. 

“This investigation is another example of HSI working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle these organizations by removing the assets they need to continue dealing in illicit drugs.”
“This is a great example of law enforcement agencies working together. IRS Criminal Investigation’s goal in drug cases is to help put drug dealers in jail and financially disrupt their efforts by seizing the drug proceeds,” said Stephen Boyd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office.

“Individuals who use the U.S. Mail to facilitate the transportation of illegal drugs and related proceeds are violating federal law.  These are priority investigations for our agency,” said Adam Behnen, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Denver Division.

“The cases that have resulted from this investigation are based on a joint investigation involving the United States Attorney’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Boulder County Drug Task Force.  The investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of federal agencies working in cooperation with local law enforcement. The District Attorney’s Office of the 20th Judicial District and the Boulder County Drug Task Force would like to thank all the federal agencies and agents involved in making this investigation possible,” said Ken Kupfner, Chief Trial Deputy, 20th Judicial District.

Taylor Hills was charged with seventeen counts of money laundering, twelve counts of illegal use of the mail, one count of a false statement in loan application, and one count of failing to file a tax return.  If convicted of money laundering, he faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $500,000 per count. If convicted of illegal use of the mail, he faces not more than 4 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000 per count. If convicted of false statement in loan application, he faces not more than 30 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000 per count.  If convicted of failing to file a tax return, he faces not more than 1 year in federal prison, and a fine of up to $25,000 per count. 

This case was investigated by agents with Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S Postal Inspection Service, officers from the Boulder County Drug Task Force and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Korver.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Updated June 22, 2015