Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that James Wylie Crowder III, age 48, of Rock Hill, pled guilty today in federal court in Columbia to Tax Evasion, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 7201. Chief United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour accepted the plea. No sentencing date has been set.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Crowder owned and operated Carolina Cargo, Inc., a trucking company in Rock Hill. He evaded the accurate assessment of taxes on the commercial trucks used in his business by altering forms after they were submitted to the IRS and prior to
submitting them as proof of payment to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In essence, he represented that his business owned and used far fewer trucks than was actually the case, lowering his Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax. Crowder's taxable assessment for the calendar years of 2007 to 2010 was a net deficit of
$250,250.00.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty Crowder can receive is a fine of $100,000 and/or imprisonment for five years, plus a special assessment of $100. The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Winston D. Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office handled the case.

 

 

 

 

 

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