Date: 11-15-2018

Case Style:

Case Number: 4:18-cr-00464

Judge: Alfred H. Bennett

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Harris County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Charles J. Escher

Defendant's Attorney: Jim E. Lavine

Description: Houston, TX - Man Pleads Guilty to $20 Million Tax Fraud

A man who had owned Stat Source Inc. has admitted he willfully failed to truthfully account for and pay over employment taxes to the IRS.

Jonathan Adam Van Pelt withheld federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare taxes from the wages of employees for one employment tax quarter. However, he did not timely file the required Employer’s Quarterly Federal Income Tax Return for that quarter reporting the withholdings and did not pay over the withholdings to the IRS.

In the plea agreement filed in the record of the case, Van Pelt admitted the total employment taxes he failed to pay to the IRS for Stat Source Inc., was more than $20 million, the amount owed for 18 employment tax quarters running from the third quarter of 2011 through the fourth quarter of 2015. Van Pelt admitted he spent the money owed on the unpaid employment taxes on various luxury items, such as luxury automobiles, expensive furniture, leather goods, jewelry, an expensive home, lavish vacations and various entertainment venues.

He has agreed to pay $20 million in restitution to the IRS.

U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett accepted the plea today and has set sentencing for Jan. 17, 2019. At that time, Van Pelt faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

Charge:

WILLFUL FAILURE TO TRUTHFULLY ACCOUNT FOR AND TO PAY OVER EMPLOYMENT TAXES
(1)

Outcome: 11/08/2018 13 Pretrial Services Report (Sealed) as to Jonathan Adam Van Pelt, filed. (jking, 4) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
11/08/2018 INITIAL APPEARANCE Minute Entry for proceedings held on 11/8/2018 before Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo as to Jonathan Adam Van Pelt, Defendant first appearance on Indictment. (Deft informed of rights). Defendant appeared with counsel. Bond set, Unsecured 100,000, Defendant advised of conditions of release, Waiver of Indictment executed, Defendant to be re-arraigned. Appearances: AUSA Charles J. Escher f/USA; Jim Lavine Retained (Retained) f/Deft.(ERO:Yes) (Interpreter: No) (Pretrial Officer: Sergio Garza) Bond executed and deft to be released, filed.(cfelchakadi, 4) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
11/08/2018 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Alfred H Bennett: RE-ARRAIGNMENT held on 11/8/2018. Jonathan Adam Van Pelt (1) Guilty Count 1. Plea agreement executed. Sentencing set for January 17, 2019 at 9:30 AM. Appearances: Charles J Escher, Jim E Lavine.(Court Reporter: J. Sanchez) Deft continued on Bond, filed.(ledwards, 4) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
11/08/2018 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo: ARRAIGNMENT as to Jonathan Adam Van Pelt (1) Count 1 held on 11/8/2018. Plead Not Guilty to all charges Appearances: Charles J Escher, Jim E Lavine. Deft continued on Bond, filed.(cfelchak, 4) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
11/08/2018 14 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Jonathan Adam Van Pelt, filed.(cfelchak, 4) (Main Document 14 replaced on 11/8/2018) (cfelchak, 4). (Entered: 11/08/2018)
11/08/2018 15 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Jonathan Adam Van Pelt, filed. (sanderson, 4) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
11/08/2018 16 ORDER for Presentence Investigation and Disclosure & Sentencing Dates as to Jonathan Adam Van Pelt. PSI Completion due by 12/13/2018 Objection to PSI due by 12/27/2018 Final PSI due by 1/10/2019 Sentencing set for 1/17/2019 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom 8C before Judge Alfred H Bennett ( Signed by Judge Alfred H Bennett) Parties notified. (rguerrero, 4) (Entered: 11/08/2018)
11/08/2018 17 Unsecured Bond Entered as to Jonathan Adam Van Pelt in amount of $ 100,000,, filed. (cfelchak, 4) (Entered: 11/13/2018)
11/08/2018 18 ORDER Setting Conditions of Release (Signed by Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo) (Attachments: # 1 Unredacted attachment Conditions of Release) Parties notified. (cfelchak, 4) (Entered: 11/13/2018)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: