Tamaral Guzman Convicted Of Failure To Appear In Connection With Fleeing From Ongoing Drug And Financial Crimes Trial

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tamral Guzman, 42, of Blount County, Tenn., pleaded guilty on Jan. 3, 2013, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville, to failure to appear. Sentencing has been set for 10:00 a.m., Mar. 20, 2013, before the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, U.S. District Judge.

According documents on file with the U.S. District Court, Guzman was charged in a 57-count indictment for which she was on trial beginning on Sept. 24, 2012. She attended trial every day until Oct. 2, 2012, when she failed to appear. A warrant for Guzman’s arrest was issued by the District Court. The trial proceeded and she was convicted of all 57 counts on Oct. 4, 2012.

On Oct. 30, 2012, a vehicle believed to be driven by Guzman was located in Florida. Surveillance was set up on the vehicle and as a result Guzman was identified and arrested. Guzman admitted to living in a local hotel, paying for expenses with cash, and working in a local restaurant under an assumed name with her boyfriend and co-defendant Brian Paul Hatcher.

On Nov. 6, 2012, a three-count indictment, which included these charges, was returned against Hatcher and Guzman by a federal grand jury. Hatcher pleaded guilty on Dec. 20, 2012, and faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison for accessory after the fact and a maximum term of 20 years in prison for retaliating against a witness.

This indictment was the result of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Marshal Service. Jennifer Kolman Assistant U.S. Attorney represented the United States at trial.

“This conviction is notice to all that running from the custody of the U.S. Marshals is an additional offense which we will prosecute. The federal judicial system must be respected. I extend my sincere praise for the work of the Internal Revenue Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Blount County Drug Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service for their diligent and successful work that resulted in these convictions,” said U. S. Attorney Bill Killian. “We are also very appreciative of the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kolman for her prosecution of these cases,” he added.