LITTLE ROCK—Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced today that a man who owned and operated an information technology business that provided services to various governmental entities has pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Ronnie Lyn Drummond, 52, of Brookland, entered this guilty plea earlier today before United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
Judge Moody will sentence Drummond at a later date. Tax evasion is punishable by not more than five years’ imprisonment, not more than three years’ supervised release, and a fine of not more than $100,000.
The investigation revealed that Drummond failed to timely file tax returns for the tax years of 2008 – 2012. When Drummond eventually filed returns for these years, his calculations reflected tax obligations, which Drummond failed to pay. Between 2014 and 2017, the defendant received gross receipts of $1,044,043.05, to include labor and materials. In an attempt to conceal his gross receipts, including income, from the Internal Revenue Service, the defendant cashed the majority of the checks he received. The tax loss, excluding interest and penalties, is $177,357.98.
“Law-abiding U.S. citizens who responsibly file their tax returns each year and pay their taxes expect those who won’t, to be held accountable. Unlike the vast majority of his fellow citizens, Mr. Drummond chose to conceal income; to not file his tax returns for several years; and to fail to pay the amounts he knew were owed to the Internal Revenue Service,” said Ross. “As demonstrated by this case, failure to file taxes or evading paying the taxes you owe, can result in prosecution and a potential sentence in federal prison.”