DENVER – William M. Rogers, Jr., age 69, of Castle Rock, Colorado, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, for income tax evasion and obstructing and impeding the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, IRS – Criminal Investigation, and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration announced. Roger was arrested by federal agents on Thursday, April 12, 2012. Rogers is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Denver today where he will be advised of the charges pending against him.

According to the indictment, beginning on or about February 7, 2005, and continuing through on or about September 9, 2010, Rogers in the District of Colorado, obstructed and impeded the administration of the internal revenue laws by causing to be submitted to the IRS false forms, including a false Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals, IRS Form 433-A, and related documents. Furthermore, Rogers opened accounts at financial institutions in the names of North Pacific Odyssey, Inc. (“North Pacific”), Jasper Wells Limited (“Jasper”) and Indigo Creek Resources (“Indigo”), and used fictitious Employer Identification Numbers (“EINs”) to open accounts in the names of Jasper and Indigo.

During the calendar year 2005, Rogers received taxable income in the approximate amount of $68,392 owing approximately $25,235 in taxes to the IRS. Beginning on or about January 1, 2005, and continuing through on or about April 17, 2006, Rogers failed to file an income tax return on or before April 17, 2006, as required by law with the IRS. He willfully attempt to evade and defeat the income tax due and owing by, including but not limited to, causing Windstar Aviation Corp. (“Windstar”) and Travelaire Service, Inc. (“Travelaire”) to make payments to Sea Scan instead of to Rogers for his work as a pilot, depositing the payments from Windstar and Travelaire to an account in the name of North Pacific, cashing thousands of dollars in checks drawn on an account in the name of North Pacific.

During the calendar years 2006 and 2007, Rogers followed a similar pattern to willfully attempt to evade and defeat the income tax due and owing. For the 2006 calendar year, Rogers received taxable income in the approximate amount of $74,231 owing approximately $28,086 in taxes to the IRS and failed to file an income tax return on or before April 16, 2007, as required by law with the IRS. For the 2007 calendar year, Rogers received taxable income in the approximate amount of $ $74,740 owing approximately $ 28,499 in taxes to the IRS and failed to file an income tax return on or before April 15, 2008, as required by law with the IRS.

“The overwhelming majority of Americans play by the rules, file income tax returns and pay any taxes that might be due,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “People who try to free-ride on the system by intentionally evading their obligation to file tax returns and pay their fair share of taxes due will face civil and possible criminal consequences, including going to prison.”

“As April 15 is approaching, this is a reminder that all taxpayers should pay their fair share and file complete and accurate tax returns,” said Sean P. Sowards, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. "Those Americans who file accurate, honest and timely tax returns can be assured that the government will hold accountable those who don't."

“This is another example of the failure of illegal schemes and tactics intended to impede and interfere with the Internal Revenue Service and its employees to carry out their lawful duties,” said Greg Jaramillo, Special Agent in Charge, Denver Field Division of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Rogers faces not more than 5 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, for three counts of income tax evasion; not more than 3 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, for one count of obstructing and impeding the administration of Internal Revenue laws.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John Scully.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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