Edgewood Tax Cheat Faces Jail Time

TYLER, Texas – Bruce Steven Martin, a 48-year-old resident of Edgewood, Texas, is staring down federal prison time after admitting to dodging his taxes. The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas finally cornered Martin, who pleaded guilty to willful failure to file a federal income tax return.

The charge stems from income Martin allegedly earned during the 2010 calendar year. Instead of reporting it to the IRS, he simply didn’t file. This isn’t some oversight; prosecutors proved Martin willfully avoided his obligations. A federal grand jury indicted Martin on November 13, 2013, but he played cat and mouse with the court, skipping multiple appearances.

U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced the guilty plea, delivered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Don D. Bush on September 18, 2014. But the courtroom drama didn’t end there. After years of avoiding justice, Judge Bush ordered Martin detained immediately following the hearing, effectively ending his run.

This wasn’t a complicated scheme, just a blatant disregard for the law. The IRS-Criminal Investigation division dug into Martin’s finances, building a case that ultimately forced the guilty plea. While the exact amount of unpaid taxes wasn’t disclosed, the message is clear: the IRS is watching, and evasion won’t pay.

Martin now faces up to 12 months in federal prison. While a sentencing date hasn’t been set, the wheels of justice are turning. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Andrew Williams is prosecuting the case, ensuring that Martin pays for his attempt to cheat the system.

This case serves as a stark reminder that tax evasion is a serious federal crime. The IRS-Criminal Investigation continues to aggressively pursue those who attempt to defraud the government, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is ready to prosecute. For Bruce Steven Martin, a simple tax return could have saved him a lot of trouble – and a potential prison sentence.