A Florida real estate agent known as the “Land Man,” was found guilty by a federal judge of five counts of willfully failing to file income tax returns over a five-year period from 2017 to 2021.
The verdict, delivered after a day-and-a-half bench trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Trial evidence revealed that Sedita Charles Cayson, a 59-year-old real estate agent from Panacea, Florida, consistently failed to file income tax returns despite earning over $150,000 annually in real estate commissions.
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Prosecutors demonstrated that Cayson, who had a history of tax delinquencies dating back to 2004, deliberately avoided paying taxes and had been previously assessed liens by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for unpaid taxes during tax years 2004-2007 and 2011-2013.
Starting in 2017, Cayson reportedly instructed his real estate broker to split his commission checks into amounts below $10,000, often cashing them immediately to avoid detection by authorities. These actions highlighted what prosecutors called a willful effort to evade his tax obligations.
Cayson faces sentencing on February 24, 2025, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Judge Robert L. Hinkle. He could receive up to one year in federal prison and a $25,000 fine per count, totaling up to five years in prison and $125,000 in fines, followed by up to one year of supervised release for each count.
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The conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigations, which uncovered Cayson’s systematic attempts to avoid paying taxes. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Harley Ferguson and Justin M. Keen.
“This conviction underscores our commitment to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their profession or income, fulfill their legal obligations to file and pay taxes,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody.
Cayson’s sentencing next February will mark the conclusion of a case highlighting the severe consequences of deliberate tax evasion, even for individuals with substantial incomes.
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