St. George Man Faces Fraud, Money Laundering, Tax Charges In Indictment Returned By Federal Grand Jury

   SALT LAKE CITY – A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment Wednesday afternoon charging Christopher C. Harris, age 46, of St. George, Utah, with wire fraud, money laundering, and failure to file a federal tax return in connection with a scheme to defraud individuals and companies who were trying to purchase large quantities of cement.

According to the indictment, Harris owned a commodities distribution business under the name of Revolution Holdings, Inc., in St. George. Harris purported to supply commodities of all kinds throughout the world by obtaining and arranging for shipping of the commodities.  Harris conducted business by, among other things, entering into contracts with customers who wired money into his personal accounts.

The indictment alleges that from about July 2008 to about July 2009, Harris devised a scheme to defraud individuals and companies identified in the indictment as D.D. (DJD International Solutions, LLC) and M.O. (American Quality Importers, LLC).

The indictment alleges Harris told the victims he had purchased and delivered large shipments of cement to prior customers and that he owned a large quantity of cement when, in fact, he did not. Harris also sent victims fraudulent documents purporting to be from third parties indicating that he and Revolution Holdings had fulfilled large-scale contracts in the past and that he had arranged for shipping vessels to transport cement overseas.

The indictment alleges that Harris defrauded victims of about $725,000 through his scheme.

The first three counts of the indictment allege wire fraud in the execution of the scheme by falsely obtaining the money and property of victims through the use of materially false representations and the omission of material facts.  Two money laundering counts allege Harris used money he obtained through the scheme to make a $350,000 down payment on a personal residence and to purchase a $121,758 boat.  The final count of the indictment alleges Harris did not file a federal tax return for 2008.

The potential maximum penalty for each count of wire fraud is 20 years in prison.  The money laundering counts each carry potential 10-year sentences.  The potential penalty for the tax charge is up to one year in prison. The indictment also includes a notice that federal prosecutors are seeking a forfeiture judgment of $725,000.

A summons will be issued to Harris to appear for an arraignment on the charges.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged in indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah and investigated by special agents of the U.S. Secret Service and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.