Two Area Men Sentenced For Failing To File Federal Income Tax Returns

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced the latest sentences given in his office’s ongoing efforts to punish those who cheat their fellow citizens by refusal to pay their fair share of income taxes.

Mozell “Mo” Chaney, 62, of Washington Park, IL, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for the offenses of failing to file a federal income tax return for 2010 and 2011. Chaney received a sentence of five years’ probation, five months home detention and was ordered to pay $40,442 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Kenneth Brian Cherry, Sr., 56, of Cottage Hills, IL, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for the offenses of failing to file a federal income tax return for 2010 and 2011. Cherry received a sentence of five years’ probation, five months home detention and was ordered to pay $30,950 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Both men are independent truck drivers. Prior to being contacted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations in 2012, Chaney had not filed federal income tax returns since the 2007 tax year and Cherry had not filed since the 2005 tax year.

The prosecutions are the result of investigations conducted by the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations and are part of an ongoing initiative in the Southern District of Illinois to prosecute individuals who receive substantial income, but willfully fail to file federal income tax returns. The prosecutions were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.

To report criminal tax fraud, call the I.R.S. Criminal Investigations at (618) 622-2160 or by sending the information to the Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888.