Williston Man Charged with Tax Evasion

Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on June 12, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging John Caleb Wright, 43, of Williston, Vermont, with attempting to evade payment of over $1 million of tax. Wright’s arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle is scheduled for July 22, at 11:00 A.M. in Burlington.

According to court records, after the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notified Wright that it would begin enforced collection of his assets to satisfy a tax debt of over $1 million, Wright moved his cryptocurrency assets on two occasions in 2021 from a cryptocurrency exchange where they were accessible to the IRS via legal process, to an off-exchange, unhosted wallet beyond the reach of the IRS.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Wright is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Wright faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Corinne Smith. Wright is represented by Brooks McArthur, Esq.