Reno, Nev. - Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada, and Byram Tichenor, Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation for Nevada and Utah, announced that DEBORAH L. SHELTRA of Carson City, Nevada, was indicted on Wednesday, March 13, 2002, by a federal grand jury in Reno on three counts of Evasion of Income Tax, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201.

According to the Indictment, SHELTRA unlawfully attempted to evade and defeat a large part of the income tax due and owing by her to the United States for the years 1992, 1993, and 1994. The indictment further states that SHELTRA reported her taxable income on her tax returns as $36,753 for 1992, a negative income of $48,444 for 1993, and $9,108 for 1994, all the while knowing and believing her taxable income was substantially in excess of that stated for each of these years.

If convicted, SHELTRA is facing up to three years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count. The actual sentence, however, will be dictated by the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of factors, and will be imposed at the discretion of the Court.

According to Byram Tichenor, Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation for Nevada and Utah, such cases as these protect the vast majority of honest, hard-working and taxpaying citizens. "When our country is cheated of lawful revenue, it simply means that each average and honest taxpaying citizen makes up the shortfall. Nobody likes paying taxes, but they are the price we pay to protect our freedom and way of life in this great country."

The case is being investigated by Special Agents of IRS Criminal Investigation in Reno and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Rachow.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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