Federal Jury Convicts Amarillo Anesthesiologist On Tax Evasion Charges

Dr. Edgar A. Lockett, Jr. Formerly Resided and Practiced in Mineral Wells and McAllen, Texas

AMARILLO, Texas — After a four-day trial, before U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson, a federal jury in Amarillo, Texas, has convicted Edgar A Lockett, Jr., on all six counts of an indictment charging tax evasion.  Lockett faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the counts of conviction.  He could also be ordered to pay restitution.  Judge Robinson remanded Lockett into the custody of the U.S. Marshal.  A sentencing date was not set.  Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

The government presented evidence at trial that Lockett is a self-employed anesthesiologist who currently resides in Amarillo; he formerly resided and practiced in other cities in Texas, including Mineral Wells and McAllen.  Lockett most recently billed under the name of Medical & Health Alliance Ministries.

According to evidence the government presented, Lockett has not filed income tax returns since 1999, except for a joint return filed with his spouse for tax year 2007.  He owes the United States $1,432,740 in unpaid income taxes for tax years 2000 through 2010.

The government presented further evidence that Lockett concealed from the IRS the nature, extent and location of his assets by placing funds and property in the names of nominee companies and secreting his income in bank accounts that he opened using his deceased father’s name and social security number.

The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christy Drake and Vicki Lamberson prosecuted.