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Boston Man Sentenced for Marijuana and Tax Offenses
A Boston man was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution for marijuana distribution and tax offenses in federal court in Springfield.
Zachary Sweener, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to three months in prison and three years of supervised release. Sweener was also ordered to pay $156,457 in restitution.
Sweener pleaded guilty on July 6, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of filing a false tax return, and two counts of failing to file tax returns.
From 2014 to 2017, Sweener conspired with others to distribute marijuana. On January 10, 2017, a search of Sweener’s residence recovered 1,000 marijuana vape oil pens and over $90,000 in cash, two gold bars, and other luxury items.
Sweener also filed a false income tax return for 2013 by substantially under-reporting his income and failed to file tax returns for tax years 2014 and 2015, despite earning over $250,000 in each of those years.
For tax years 2013 through 2015, Sweener failed to report over $625,000 in income and therefore failed to pay over $150,000 in federal income taxes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Justice Department’s Tax Division, the IRS’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Christopher O’Donnell of the Justice Department’s Tax Division prosecuted the case.
Zachary Sweener
Defendant Respondent: Zachary Sweener
Criminal Charges: One count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of filing a false tax return, and two counts of failing to file tax returns.
City and State: Boston, Massachusetts
Exact Date: July 6, 2021
Sentence or Outcome: Three months in prison and three years of supervised release. Sweener was also ordered to pay $156,457 in restitution.
Dollar Amounts: $156,457 in restitution, over $90,000 in cash, two gold bars, $625,000 in unreported income, $150,000 in unpaid federal income taxes, $250,000 in income for tax years 2014 and 2015.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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