March 13, 2009
GILLETTE, WYOMING MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR MAILING THREATENING COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERFERING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF INTERNAL REVENUE LAWS
CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Laurence Eustelle Wolff, age 60, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced this morning by Wyoming U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson to serve 27 months in federal prison for mailing threatening communications and interfering with the administration of Internal Revenue laws, Acting U.S. Attorney David M. Gaouette announced. Following the prison term, Wolff was ordered to spend 3 years on supervised release. During his supervised release the Judge ordered Wolff to cooperate with the IRS in satisfying his tax liabilities, and to file income tax returns. Judge Johnson also ordered Wolff to pay a $400 fine as well as a $450 special assessment, which goes to a victims of crime fund. Wolff, who appeared in custody, was remanded.
Laurence Eustelle Wolff was charged by Criminal Complaint on August 22, 2008. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on September 24, 2008. Wolff was found guilty following a jury trial on December 11, 2008.
According to the indictment, as well as the evidence presented to the jury during the trial, in 2007 Laurence Wolff’s house was the subject of an Order of Foreclosure and Decree of Sale.
On August 15, 2008, Wolff mailed threatening communications to numerous government employees, including IRS employees, which stated that he would defend his property, threatening to kill any person who attempts to enforce a Foreclosure Order and Decree of Sale. On August 18, 2008, Wolff refused to vacate his foreclosed property, located at 1104 Buckskin Drive, in Gillette, Wyoming. Further, Wolff posted notices on the property threatening to use force against law enforcement officers. Lastly, Wolff barricaded entry doors, and placed loaded firearms in various locations in his bedroom. He was arrested on August 29, 2008 after vacating his property.
“We cannot tolerate those who would threaten and interfere with our government officials who are serving all of us, each and every day,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Gaouette.
“This case serves as a reminder that use of the mail to communicate threats will not be tolerated,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Shawn Tiller. “Part of our duty is to ensure the public’s safety, and the result here today helps us do just that.”
“Tax laws are in place, and interfering with the administration of those tax laws comes with severe consequences.” said Christopher M. Sigerson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office.
“We are committed to the protection of Internal Revenue Service employees who are doing their jobs, and we are very pleased with today’s sentence,” said Terry K. Peacock, Special Agent in Charge of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Denver Field Division.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.
Wolff was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Hearty, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Major Crimes Section. The case was handled by District of Colorado prosecutors because District of Wyoming prosecutors were recused because they too received threatening letters.
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