Melvin Harmon, Mail Fraud, Missouri 2018

The United States has suffered a major blow in a high-stakes battle against tax evasion. A federal jury in St. Louis, MO, has found Melvin Harmon, 40, of Belleville, IL, guilty on five counts of conspiracy to defraud and mail fraud charges.

Between January 1, 2015, and December 20, 2016, Harmon was employed at a Granite City, Illinois office registering vehicles for the State of Illinois Secretary of State. He used his position to obtain fraudulent motor vehicle registrations for others in exchange for a hefty fee – up to $700 per car.

The scheme, which netted Harmon an estimated $350,000 to $700,000, allowed Missouri residents to evade payment of Missouri taxes. In addition, Harmon altered the price of the vehicles to reduce any payments that would be owed to the State of Illinois.

As a result of his actions, Harmon registered more than 380 vehicles for residents of Missouri and other states using assumed Illinois addresses. The State of Missouri estimated a loss of tax revenue in excess of $300,000 for vehicles associated with Missouri residents.

Harmon was indicted on September 13, 2017, in a superseding indictment charging him with six felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, mail fraud, and interstate transportation of falsely made motor vehicle titles.

He faces up to 20 years of imprisonment for the convictions, and a potential fine of $250,000 per count. In determining the actual sentence, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.

Sentencing has been set for August 14, 2018, before the Honorable Henry E. Autrey. The case was investigated by the Missouri Department of Revenue-Compliance and Investigation Bureau. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Berry and Dianna Collins.

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