SAN DIEGO – June 14, 2006 – LAWFUEL – Press Release Service – Ronald Krajewski, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the San Diego Field Office announced that James Estrella, a former San Diego Police Officer, pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego to one count of tax evasion, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201. Estrella entered his plea before United States Magistrate Judge Louisa Porter, subject to final acceptance of the plea by United States District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez, at time of sentence.
According to the plea agreement, on or about April 15, 2004, within the Southern District of California, Estrella attempted to evade and defeat income tax due and owing by him to the United States by failing to report at least $227,700.00 in taxable income by failing to file an income tax return for tax year 2003, all in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201.
According to the plea agreement, in December 2004, Estrella pled guilty in San Diego Superior Court to four felony counts of receiving stolen property in connection with his internet auction website business “Myturn91911.” Estrella offered stolen merchandise for sale online that included, Faultmaster fault locators, Hughes Electronics DIRECTV components, Breezecom and Copper Mountain wireless communication equipment, Callaway golf shafts, and DC Shoes. Estrella also offered legitimate merchandise for sale online that was acquired from various swap meets and auction houses in San Diego County.
According to the plea agreement, Estrella resided in Chula Vista, California and operated Myturn91911 during the years 2001 through 2003. During this period, Estrella earned $56,022.00; $55,641.00; and, $56,955.00 in W-2 wages from the City of San Diego for the respective years 2001, 2002, and 2003. In addition to his W-2 wages, Estrella earned $21,830.60; $120,001.33; and, $170,751.83 in unreported income from Myturn91911 for the respective years 2001, 2002, and 2003. As a result of Estrella’s unreported income, Estrella’s additional tax due and owing was $5,499.00; $36,049.00; and, $22,093.00 for the respective years 2001, 2002, and 2003.
“Today’s guilty plea serves as a reminder to all individuals who intentionally evade their income, including those who have sworn to uphold the law, that they will be swiftly prosecuted. American taxpayers can be confident that IRS Criminal Investigation will aggressively investigate those individuals who willfully evade their income and disregard our tax laws,” said Ronald Krajewski, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the San Diego Field Office.
The sentencing date for Estrella is set for September 5, 2006 at 9:00AM before
Judge Roger T. Benitez.
For more information regarding cases involving tax evasion and filing false and fraudulent returns, please visit www.IRS.Gov.
