Same judge as Simkanin?

[Demosthenes]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DALLAS, TEXAS
CONTACT: 214/659-8600
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn MARCH 23, 2007

TARRANT COUNTY BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED TO FIVE MONTHS
IN PRISON FOR FAILING TO FILE INCOME TAX RETURN

U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas announced that Wesley Craig Ownby, a Tarrant County businessman, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John McBryde to five months in prison followed by 150 days home confinement. Ownby pled guilty in December 2006 to one count of failing to file an income tax return. He has been ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on April 13, 2007.

Ownby worked in the real estate business and also performed consulting work. He admitted in court documents that he knew of the requirement to file a federal income tax return, and that he wilfully failed to do so for the calendar year 2000.

“When the majority of citizens out there are making every effort to file their tax returns and report all their income, it is IRS’s duty to investigate individuals like Wesley Craig Ownby who do not file their tax returns. As the due date for filing this year’s tax returns approaches, heed today’s sentencing and the consequences of wilfully not filing your tax return,” said Erick Martinez, Special Agent-in-Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation in Dallas, Texas.

This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Nichols.