An officer with the Internal Revenue Service knocked on a door in Fort Lauderdale and soon found he was looking down the business end of a shotgun. The man allegedly holding the weapon, 61, screamed at the IRS officer to get off his property.
While the IRS didn’t explain why one of their workers wanted to talk to the man in person rather than in writing. The only response that was given was that it was “regarding an office IRS matter.” The defendant’s attorney said that neither his client nor him knew why.
The man’s attorney said his client thought the man was part of scam and that “he exercised his right to defend himself.”
By the time authorities arrived at the house to interview the defendant, he was gone. He would go to his attorney’s office Friday morning before turning himself in to authorities.
The defendant now faces a charge for using a deadly weapon while forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating or interfering with a government employee who was performing official duties. Should he be found guilty, he could face up to two decades in federal prison. His bond was set at $120,000, which he was unable to post.
Federal charges often result in severe punishments, such as high fines and long prison sentences. It’s important that the attorney you choose to represent you is experienced in federal court. Not only are the procedures a bit different, many defendants can feel overwhelmed by the process. The attorney can help by asking for a bond reduction, and then building a strong defense case.