Former DeKalb County Man Charged with Sales Tax Evasion

The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the arrest of 54 year old Michael Gene Cantrell on charges of sales tax evasion by filing false and fraudulent documents with the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office.

Cantrell, a former resident of DeKalb County, now resides in Jamestown.

On Nov. 29, 2010, Cantrell was indicted by a DeKalb County Grand Jury on three Class E felony counts of Sales Tax Evasion in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440. The indictment charges that between July 2003 and May 2007, Cantrell submitted false and fraudulent documents to the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office for the purpose of registering two vehicles and a boat. On Dec 3, 2010, Cantrell surrendered to Special Agents at the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office. If convicted, Cantrell could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary
and fined $3,000 for each of the three Class E felony counts.

“The Department of Revenue promotes voluntary taxpayer compliance by educating taxpayers, aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions and demanding accountability when taxpayers engage in fraudulent activity,"
said Revenue Commissioner Charles Trost. "This investigation underscores the department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with the District Attorney General Randy York. Commissioner Trost expressed his appreciation for the excellent cooperation the department has enjoyed with General York. Citizens who suspect violations of the Tennessee revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with
those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 91 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the department collected $10.1 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2009-2010 fiscal
year. In collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.TN.gov/revenue.

Smithville Police Make Arrest in Rash of Automobile Burglaries

The Smithville Police Department has apparently solved a rash of recent car burglaries with the arrest of a local man.

Detective Matt Holmes said Brian Thomason has been charged with seven counts of burglary, one count of felony theft, six counts of misdemeanor theft, and one count of felony vandalism in connection with several car burglaries on Whaley and Cill Street.

According to Detective Holmes, Thomason is believed to have broken into and stolen items from vehicles parked at homes on 420 Whaley Street, 407 Whaley Street, 613 Cill Street, 620 Cill Street, and 701 Cill Street. The break-ins are believed to have occurred during the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 23rd before daylight.

The residents at all these addresses called police to report the break-ins and thefts later that morning after making the discoveries. Some people in the neighborhood also reported seeing a suspicious man on foot walking through the area that day carrying several bags.

Detective Holmes said that on November 23rd at 7:59 a.m. Officer Travis Bryant took a report from Oscar Boyd at 420 Whaley Street who stated that someone had burglarized two vehicles at his residence. Stolen from the automobiles were a laptop computer with a leather case, money bags containing some cash, a set of keys, checkbook, and two large cd cases with multiple cd's.

On November 23rd at 7:30 a.m., Officer Bryant took a report from Paul Cantrell at 407 Whaley Street who stated that his vehicle had been burglarized and that a black bag was stolen. The vehicle was also vandalized with damage to the dash and radio, where an unsuccessful attempt was made to steal the radio.

On November 23rd at 7:45 a.m., Officer Brad Tatrow took a report from David Gash at 613 Cill Street who stated that two vehicles were burglarized at his home and that a Garmin GPS unit was stolen along with multiple Mag flashlights, car chargers, and ten dollars in change.

On November 23rd at 8:00 a.m. Officer Tatrow took a report from Robert Hale at 620 Cill Street who stated that his automobile was burglarized and that a six inch Pakistan knife, book, and a boxcutter were stolen.

Officer Tatrow also took a report at 11:00 a.m. that day from Tim Woodward at 701 Cill Street who stated that his vehicle was burglarized and that a phone charger, a Craftsman wrench, and six dollars in change were stolen.

After an investigation, Detective Holmes said Thomason was identified as a suspect in the case and that he was staying at a rent home on Dry Creek Road, which was supposed to be unoccupied at that time. Police were told by the owner that no one was to be in the residence and he assisted the officers in obtaining access to the home. Thomason and his girlfriend were found there along with all the items reported stolen from the car burglaries on Whaley and Cill Streets, except for the laptop computer.

Detective Holmes said Thomason admitted to committing the burglaries and added that he had thrown the laptop in a nearby pond after dropping and breaking it.

Thomason is under a $150,000 bond and he will be in court on December 16th.

In other city crime news, 24 year old Charlie C Barnes of Cecil Hale Road was arrested on Saturday, November 27th for driving on a suspended license. Officer Scott Davis stopped a vehicle driven by Charlie Barnes for a traffic violation. A computer check of Barnes' license through central dispatch revealed them to be suspended. Bond for Barnes is $1,000 and his court date is January 5th.

36 year old Earnest Paul Barnwell of Poss Street was cited for shoplifting on Sunday, November 28th. Barnwell allegedly took items from Rite Aid Pharmacy without paying for them. K-9 Officer Brad Tatrow issued the citation. Barnwell's court date is December 16th.

42 year old Kimberly Denise Simmons of North 4th Street was cited for shoplifting on Sunday, November 28th by officer Scott Davis. Simmons was observed by Dollar General Store employees placing several items of merchandise in her purse and attempting to leave the store. Her court date is January 6th.

31 year old Lisa Rena Taylor of Poss Street was arrested Sunday, November 28th for simple possession of a schedule II drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving on a revoked license. While investigating a shoplifting complaint against another person, Corporal Bryant was advised that Taylor had been waiting in the parking lot of Rite Aid for the shoplifting suspect. Corporal Bryant later saw her traveling on East Bryant and turn into City Walk Apartments where she got out of her car and ran back to the intersection of South Congress and East Bryant where she could see Officer Tatrow across the street. Corporal Bryant made contact with Taylor and knew from a prior encounter that her drivers license were revoked. Taylor was placed under arrest and transported to her car where K-9 Leo indicated on the vehicle. Drug paraphernalia was found in her jacket inside the car and in the glove compartment was a schedule II drug. Bond for Taylor is $3,500 and her court date is January 6th.

Meanwhile, anyone with information on any criminal activity is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.

Any information received that will help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.