DALLAS, Texas — Three family members have been sentenced to federal prison following their convictions in a multimillion-dollar tax fraud scheme, officials announced.
David Hunt was sentenced to 92 months in prison, his son Baylon Hunt received 38 months, and Baylon’s half-brother Corey Burt was sentenced to 94 months. A fourth family member convicted in the case is scheduled to be sentenced in May.
According to evidence presented at trial, the Hunts, of Arlington, Texas, along with Burt, formerly of Long Beach, Mississippi, orchestrated a scheme to file fraudulent tax returns using purported trusts they controlled. Prosecutors said the group sought more than $8.5 million in tax refunds they were not entitled to receive.
Authorities said the defendants submitted falsified financial documents, including altered money orders and other fraudulent instruments, to support the claims. Even after receiving warning letters from the IRS, they continued filing false returns.
Investigators determined the group received more than $1.7 million in fraudulent proceeds, which were used to purchase luxury items, including furniture, cryptocurrency, a Cadillac Escalade, and a home in Mississippi.
All four defendants were convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States. David Hunt, Burt, and another family member were also convicted on multiple counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Baylon Hunt was acquitted on two related counts.
In addition to prison sentences, the defendants were ordered to pay $1,774,864 in restitution to the United States.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Prosecutors included trial attorneys from the Justice Department’s Tax Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
