Related Federal Cases
- John Stanton, III, Tax Evasion, Florida 2018 · Louisiana
- Eleuterio Almanzar, Tax Evasion, Florida 2024 · Louisiana
- Iva Whitmire, Tax Evasion, Sacramento CA, 2023 · California
- Burbank Blood Lab Owner, $5.8M Tax Evasion, California 2024 · California
- Shane Brightpath Mike, Tax Evasion, California 2023 · California
Florida Father and Son Duo Sentenced for Tobacco Tax Evasion
MIAMI – In a brazen attempt to evade federal excise taxes, a father and son duo from the Dominican Republic were sentenced to prison for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme to avoid paying millions of dollars in taxes on imported tobacco products.
Remberto Antormachy Estrella Jimenez, 38, and Remberto Andres Estrella Gomez, 64, both of Santiago, were the managing members of Dominican Tobacco Products, LLC—a Florida company that imported tobacco products, including large cigars and cigarillos, from the Dominican Republic through Miami.
According to the indictment, Estrella Jimenez and Estrella Gomez underreported the Federal Tobacco Excise Tax due on cigars their companies manufactured and imported into the United States. Alrahib, a California tobacco distributor, sent over $5.6 million in exchange for Dominican cigars, which was concealed from the authorities.
The conspirators were able to evade taxes for several years, but their scheme was eventually uncovered. Estrella Jimenez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of eight months.
His father, Estrella Gomez, was previously sentenced to a 14-month prison term. Both men were also ordered to serve an additional term of supervised release and jointly paid more than $1.98 million in restitution. Their sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola in Miami.
Alrahib, the co-conspirator, was charged in a separate case (19-cr-20165) and was sentenced to five years in prison, with an order to pay $7,207,970.66 in restitution. The investigation was led by the TTB, IRS-CI, and HSI Miami, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne prosecuting the case.
The incident highlights the importance of tax evasion cases, which can have severe consequences for those involved. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what other charges may be brought against those involved in the scheme.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
