Update on Kent Hovind

[Axehead]

Kent Hovind has been imprisoned for 10 years, now for the "crime" of "structuring". Which the IRS has just apologized to America for prosecuting people for. There is no such thing as the crime of structuring but the IRS has used it to extort 2.5 billion dollars from American citizens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC54v-P7Mic

[SIZE=large]In late summer of 2014 the IRS apologized for seizing bank accounts from otherwise law-abiding business owners, simply because they structured bank transactions to avoid federal reporting requirements. That allowed them to avoid reporting requirements designed to catch drug dealers and money launderers. Kent Hovind was NOT convicted of tax evasion, but STRUCTURING.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Structuring is when anyone would routinely make bank deposits or withdrawals of less than $10,000. Banks are not required to report transactions of less than $10,000. If you have a bank account, and have put in less than 10,000, or withdrawn less than 10,000, you too could be found as guilty as Kent Hovind of structuring. It is all just a matter of SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT. Having been found to be abusing the structuring laws,
and illegally confiscating 2,500 million dollars, the IRS has apologized. The IRS is changing its policies to prevent the seizures, as long as the money came from legal means.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]However, Kent Hovind has had everything confiscated and is STILL now serving his 100th month for the alleged crime of STRUCTURING. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]The average time served for those convicted guilty of tax evasion on amounts 1000 times larger than Kent Hovind, serve an average of 14 months. Finding no way to keep Kent Hovind more than a couple of more months on the original charges, the same corrupt justice department and court system has put together new false charges against Kent Hovind, in which he is to appear for trial now scheduled for March 2, 2015. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Kent Hovind has been assigned a public defender. I want you to be able to see these motions, which Kent Hovind has probably NOT YET SEEN, but Rudy Davis did read them to Kent. Otherwise Kent would know nothing of these new motions of the prosecution. Yet, the court assigned public defender for Kent’s case has already told the court that Kent does NOT object to these motions. When Kent heard the motions, NO, he does NOT agree with them, and YES, Kent does object. You may hear what Kent had to say about these motions. It is rather obvious that the court, and the public defender assigned to Kent’s case, as well as the prosecution and/or persecution team do NOT want Kent to have any defense against them putting Kent in prison for up to another 100 years.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]You may hear Kent Hovind discuss these most recent motions of the prosecution in the CASE NO. 3:14cr91/MCR scheduled to be tried in Pensacola County Florida March 2, 2015,
at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC54v-P7Mic[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]This is the first Kent Hovind had heard of the new motions of the persecution, and you can hear Kent's response from his jail cell. Understand that Kent’s court assigned public defender had told Kent he is and will be out of town, and had told Kent NOTHING of these charges, and had already told the court that Kent did NOT object to these motions.

Here are the new motions –[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Filed February 17, 2015[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]PENSACOLA DIVISION[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]UNITED STATES OF AMERICA[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]v. CASE NO. 3:14cr91/MCR[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]KENT E. HOVIND[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]and[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]PAUL JOHN HANSEN[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]GOVERNMENT’S MOTIONS IN LIMINE (excerpts)[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]ONE THROUGH FOUR[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]COMES NOW the United States of America and files its Motions in Limine One through Four. At this time the government moves in limine and asks that defense counsel, the defendants, and any defense witnesses be prohibited from making the following types of arguments, suggestions, and claims during the course of the trial (including jury selection, opening statements, testimony, and closing argument).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Motion in Limine Number One[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Jury Nullification – The government moves, in limine, to limit the introduction of evidence or argument suggesting jury nullification, that is, the jury members’ power to disregard their oaths and decide the case without regard to the Court’s instructions thereon. Such jury nullification arguments and efforts to introduce evidence in support of such arguments are improper.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]In Trujillo, 714 F.2d at 105-06, we concluded that a criminal defendant is unentitled to a jury instruction which alerts the jury of its de facto power and, further, that defense counsel may not argue jury nullification during closing argument. Because the jury enjoys no right to nullify criminal laws, and the defendant enjoys a right to neither a nullification instruction nor a nullification argument to the jury, the potential for nullification is no basis for admitting otherwise irrelevant evidence.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]The government specifically seeks to prohibit counsel, the defendants, and defense witnesses from making any reference to the possible punishments that could be imposed and/or making statements to the following effect: the jury has the “power to determine the course of the fate of a human being,” or “don’t give the defendant a felony conviction, ” or “You have the power to say yes to the Government, you have the power to say no to the Government, and you have the power to take a man’s freedom away.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Motion in Limine Number Two[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Improper Argument Concerning Government’s Former Counsel – The government moves, in limine, to prohibit defense counsel, the defendants, and any defense witnesses from making any mention of prior allegations and/or claims against any prior Assistant U.S. Attorney who handled any portion of the cases against defendant Hovind.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Motion in Limine Number Three[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Improper Argument Concerning the Internal Revenue Service – The government moves, in limine, to prohibit defense counsel, the defendants, and any defense witnesses from making any mention of allegations against and/or alleged conduct of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington D.C. Allegations against and/or alleged conduct of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington D.C. and/or any of its employees is not relevant
to the defendants’ trial.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]None of the above is relevant to any fact that is of consequence in this case, and, even assuming, for the sake of argument, that the evidence is relevant, any relevance it has is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice and confusion of the issues that admission of the evidence would create. Therefore, mention of such should be prohibited pursuant to Federal Rules of Evidence, Rules 401 and 403.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Motion in Limine Number Four[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Improper Argument Concerning Policy and/or Changes in Policy – The government moves, in limine, to prohibit defense counsel, the defendants, and any defense witnesses from making any mention of policies and/or changes in policy of the United States or any agency thereof, i.e. the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, etc.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Policies of the United States, any agency thereof, and/or changes in (IRS) policy are not relevant to the defendants’ trial. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Policies of the United States Department of Justice are contained in the United States Attorneys’ Manual. The United States Attorneys’ Manual only provides internal department of Justice guidance, that is, it does not create any rights, and does not place any limitations on otherwise lawful litigative prerogatives of the Department of Justice.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Mention of Department of Justice policies and/or changes in Department of Justice or Internal Revenue Service policies should be prohibited pursuant to the aforementioned authority and the Federal Rules of Evidence, Rules 401 and 403.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]WHEREFORE, the undersigned Assistant United States Attorney files these Motions in Limine with the Court.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Respectfully submitted,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]PAMELA C. MARSH (contact info: 850.444.4000 [email protected])[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]United States Attorney[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]/s/ Tiffany H. Eggers[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]TIFFANY H. EGGERS (contact info: 850.444.4000 [email protected])[/SIZE]
[SIZE=large]Assistant United States Attorney[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]END ------------[/SIZE]

[SIZE=large]Brethren, we have been standing up for Kent Hovind against this outrageous persecution, trying to put it in the light, since 2005. Thanks be to God, TRUTH about Kent’s case is finally beginning to get some traction. If your trusted news source has covered the persecution of Kent Hovind, then you can trust them. If they have remained silent about Kent Hovind – get a more trustworthy news source. We must NOW earnestly pray for our Brother in Bonds, Kent Hovind, at this time. His persecutors seek to put him away for another 100 YEARS with this new trial now set for March 2, 2015. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE HIDDEN IN DARKNESS. Find out the truth regarding why Kent Hovind has spent 100 months behind bars. This new trial is to cover up the injustice of the selective enforcement persecution of Kent Hovind. Please pray and do what you can to put feet on your prayers.[/SIZE]

 

[Trekson]

Thanks for the update, Axehead.

 

[River Jordan]

Seriously? Hovind is one of the most prolific and habitual liars I've ever seen (check into the history of his "degree" for a classic example). And do you know why he was sent to prison? Because he was taking in income and paying nothing in taxes. Not only that, he wasn't withholding taxes from his employee's pay either. He actually tried to argue in court that since he and his employees work for God, the money therefore comes from God, and no taxes are owed. In sum, he failed to report and pay taxes on about $430,000.

Now Hovind is mixed up with a bunch of anti-government groups and as a result, he's being charged with mail fraud and contempt for trying to illegally work around the terms of his conviction.

The guy's a nut, a fraud, and a liar. No Christian should have anything at all to do with people like this. Hovind and his ilk are a blight on our faith.

 

[pom2014]

Render unto Caesar is what our King said.

In other words pay your tax.

Only Charlemagne made the churches pay tax.

Why? Because he knew that's what the King said to do.

Tax all houses of worship, no matter the faith.

 

[Trekson]

Hi River, All I can say is it doesn't really matter if he is guilty or not. That's between him and God. The real issue is as a christian he is being silenced as one of the real threats to false evolutionism. If you really think this is about taxes and not silencing a threat, you need to open your eyes. Unless you have first hand knowledge I think the question should be, why are you so quick to believe the obviously biased press and not a christian? We all make mistakes. If Falwell and Baker and the other guy could be forgiven, should we be so quick to throw stones?

 

[River Jordan]

Hi River, All I can say is it doesn't really matter if he is guilty or not.

?????? It doesn't matter if he's actually committed multiple felonies? Seems kinda important to me.

The real issue is as a christian he is being silenced as one of the real threats to false evolutionism. If you really think this is about taxes and not silencing a threat, you need to open your eyes.

I think you need to review (or look at for the first time) his case. He didn't pay any taxes on almost half a million dollars in income, nor did he withhold taxes from any of his employees. No one involved in this case disputes that, not even Hovind. He freely admits that he didn't pay taxes; he argues that since the money "comes from God", he doesn't owe any taxes! So no, this has nothing at all to do with his anti-science garbage....he broke the law and is trying to argue that the law doesn't apply to him.

Second, Hovind's anti-science material is pure garbage. As I said earlier, he's a pathological liar. Do you know where he got his "degree" from? "Patriot University", a diploma mill where all you have to do to get a PhD is write something up, send them a check for $100 and they'll mail you a "degree". Do you really think that's honest?

Tell you what...if you really think Hovind has some sort of special info that is a "threat" to evolution, then please post it here and we'll compare it to reality. I guarantee you it'll be little more than a collection of misrepresentations, half-truths, and outright lies.

Unless you have first hand knowledge I think the question should be, why are you so quick to believe the obviously biased press and not a christian? We all make mistakes. If Falwell and Baker and the other guy could be forgiven, should we be so quick to throw stones?

The only thing I can figure is that you're not very familiar with his case. This isn't "a mistake". He knew what he was doing, tried to defend it in court, and to this day still maintains that he didn't do anything wrong. And now he's even trying to dishonestly work his way around the terms of his conviction!

Christians everywhere need to denounce such outrageous dishonesty done in the name of our faith.

 

[Axehead]

Kent Hovind: Political Prisoner? Published: Thursday, February 19, 2015

Kent Hovind is a creation-science evangelist and Baptist minister who has already served eight years of a ten-year prison sentence for alleged tax evasion. Kent has a master’s degree in education. He founded and operated Creation Science Evangelism and has traveled extensively presenting creation-science lectures. He has debated evolutionists in over one hundred debates across the country. Kent also operated Dinosaur Adventure Land in Pensacola, Florida. This was a very popular creation-science museum/theme park. Kent also produced scores of videos on the subject of creation-science that have circled the globe and been translated in over thirty languages. Many people affectionately refer to Kent as “Dr. Dino.” He and his wife have three children; and all three of their children (all grown) worked alongside of him in the ministry.

Kent and I were college classmates for one year in Michigan. I was a sophomore when Kent transferred to the school from Illinois. I transferred colleges after that year. Kent stayed and graduated from the college in Michigan. After graduation in 1975, my wife and I moved to Pensacola, Florida, to begin our ministerial work. Some years later, Kent and his family also moved to Pensacola. So, I’ve known Kent a long time.

Kent considered his ministry a church and the people who worked for him as missionaries. He did not incorporate under the 501c3 non-profit organization status. Of course, the Internal Revenue Code states that churches are not required to do so; that, as a church, they automatically have tax-exempt status. Accordingly, Kent believed his ministry was tax-exempt.

Nevertheless, in 2004, IRS agents raided Kent’s home and ultimately brought multiple counts of tax-evasion-type charges, including “structuring,” against him. “Structuring” means deliberately making cash deposits or withdrawals of just under the supposed reporting level of ten thousand dollars. (Egad! God forbid that the IRS not know the details of our banking transactions.) In 2006, Kent went to trial and was convicted on all counts and sentenced to ten years in federal prison. He has been there ever since.

But now the story gets bizarre. Federal prosecutors are currently bringing charges of mail fraud against Kent for using the mail system from inside prison to challenge the lien that the IRS placed upon his property. And, are you ready for this? They want Kent to serve an additional twenty to one hundred years in prison. Obviously, even if he received twenty years, this amounts to a life sentence.

See this report:

IRS vs. Kent Hovind: Imprisoned Evolutionary Foe Now Facing New Charges, Life Behind Bars

By contrast, the Rev. Al Sharpton is reported to owe nearly $1.5 million in overdue taxes and penalties from many years ago. But our federal government doesn’t put Mr. Sharpton in the Big House; it invites him to the White House instead.

See the report here:

Sharpton Owes Nearly $1.5 Million In Back Taxes

Regardless of where one comes down on the whole tax-exempt status issue for churches and non-profit organizations, here is a very relevant fact: the average time spent behind bars for tax “crimes” is between two to five years. For instance, Pete Rose served five months; Chuck Berry served four months; Aldo Gucci served one year; Sun Myung Moon served eighteen months; and Leona Helmsley served four years. Kent has already served much more time than any of those people did.

To help put it in perspective even further, the infamous Chicago gangster, Al Capone, was released after eight years in prison. And, as everyone knows, the only reason the government put him prison for tax evasion was because they couldn’t obtain the evidence they needed to convict him of murder, racketeering, bribery, etc. Yet, our federal government wants to keep a Christian minister--who never committed an act of violence against anyone--in prison for the rest of his natural life. In truth, there are thousands of people who have been convicted of some form of homicide who have not spent as many years in prison as Kent has already.

Back in 2001, restaurant owner, fisherman, and ship builder, Frank Patti (also of Pensacola, Florida) was indicted on 24 counts of tax evasion of more than $12 million. He was sentenced to 79 months in prison and released after serving but 39 months. Kent has already served almost 100 months.

After witnessing the Frank Patti case, I wrote this in 2002: “The prospect of local businessman Frank Patti spending 8 years in federal prison for tax evasion causes me to once again reflect upon the justness of throwing people in jail for nonviolent crimes.

“I believe it is past time for America to examine its practice of locking people up for nonviolent crimes. Even though the United States is far from being the most populous country in the world, we incarcerate more people than any other nation. According to recent reports, there are more than two million people behind bars in U.S. jails and prisons [now the number exceeds six million]. Many of these people are there for crimes in which no one was physically injured or killed and, therefore, pose little or no threat to society.

“Furthermore, it seems that this infatuation with locking people up serves more the interests of ever-burgeoning government bureaucracies than the interests of justice. A breadwinner behind bars means more welfare, more food stamps, and more dependence upon government, not to mention more government jobs, of course.

“With the federal government increasingly encroaching into the area of crime and punishment and with an exploding number of new laws continually being created, more and more people are losing their freedom over crimes that have more to do with offending the powers of government than injuring the lives of innocent people. Such a system hardly promotes justice.”

These comments do not even take into account the question as to whether refusing to pay personal income taxes to Uncle Sam should even be regarded as a crime at all. The income tax was initially sold to the American people as being a “voluntary” tax, remember? Regardless, the federal government treats the income tax as obligatory and most jurors have the attitude, “If I have to pay taxes, so does this defendant,” which is why most juries never acquit folks charged with tax evasion.

In Kent’s case, the argument was that his ministry was a church and as such should have been automatically tax exempt.

What Kent’s case does show is that the IRS can make its own decisions as to who and what owes taxes, the 501c3 non-profit organization status for churches notwithstanding. Charges of tax evasion are very subjective to the whims of the IRS--as Al Sharpton proves. And let’s not forget the Lois Lerner version of selective tax enforcement that targeted conservative organizations. And there is nothing new about that. The federal government has been using the IRS to intimidate or silence individuals or groups it does not like for many, many years under both Republican and Democrat administrations.

While I will not elaborate on this issue here (I’ve done so many times already in this column), this is just another example of the danger of the 501c3 tax exempt status for churches. With the way the IRS can subjectively interpret and enforce the tax code with impunity, a church or so-called non-profit organization that accepts tax-exempt status, can literally be “damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” It’s mostly to do with politics. Remember, it is the IRS--NOT THE CHURCH--that ultimately defines whether an organization is qualified to be tax-exempt. What the Internal Revenue Code stipulates about churches being automatically tax-exempt means NOTHING to the IRS. You must remember that!

In the case of Kent Hovind, one has to wonder if he is actually being treated as a political prisoner. A life sentence for tax evasion? Whoever heard of such a thing?

Then again, I am reminded of the way our government treated former Idaho Congressman George Hansen. His book “To Harass Our People” (about the IRS) should be regarded as a must-read for every lover of liberty. Then, after you read the book, find out how our federal government railroaded him into a prison sentence and how it mercilessly tortured him afterward. It will make your hair stand on end.

Then, after reading what our federal government did to one of its own congressmen, try to convince yourself that our federal government would NOT do almost anything to anyone. And if this is true for American citizens (and it is) imagine how our federal government (CIA, military Dark Ops, etc.) treats foreign governments--even those it once befriended. Come on, folks. Turn off FOX News long enough to start thinking for yourself a little bit.

http://freekenthovind.com/kent-hovinds-case/

 

[River Jordan]

You know why Hovind got a longer sentence? Because of how he behaved and argued in court. Look it up....it's truly bizarre.

The guy is a nut and a pathological liar. No good can come from following this con man.