21-Year Fugitive Who Fled Conviction – Deported from Costa Rica for Tax-Crime Sentencing
LOS ANGELES – Back in December 2000, Robin J. McPherson, formerly of San Diego – along with two co-conspirators – were found guilty at trial of conspiring to defraud the IRS and tax evasion. After fleeing the country, then being apprehended and deported from Costa Rica, he made a court appearance earlier this week before a U.S. federal judge for his sentencing conviction on tax crimes.
Trial evidence outlined McPherson as President, CEO, and co-owner of Continental Wireless Cable, Inc. – ” a telemarketing company that sold more than $30 million in purported partnership interests in wireless cable systems before being shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission,” said the U.S. Department of Justice. “McPherson and his co-conspirators took steps to evade paying taxes on profits earned by Continental Wireless Cable Inc., causing a tax loss to the IRS of more than $1 million in taxes.”
The year 2000 trial conviction resulted in the district court ordering all three parties to appear for sentencing in march 2001. However, McPherson fled the country, and evaded the sentencing hearing.
A future sentencing will determine the consequences. Presently, expect a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each of the conspiracy and tax evasion counts.
In addition, add a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. After considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other statutory factors – a federal district court judge will determine any sentence.
The IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation, with The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California providing significant assistance.
“It has been more than 20 years since the defendant was convicted in federal court for tax crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner of IRS-Criminal Investigation. “After eluding the authorities as a fugitive, McPherson was finally caught and is now being brought back to the United States to face his crimes. Criminals may think that they can run and evade justice, but we as a law enforcement agency will continue to hold them accountable.”
