Dr Dino Faces Lifetime in Prison (100 years), Supporters Argue Persecution

[Joe_in_RP]

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/20030-as-pastor-faces-lifetime-in-prison-supporters-argue-persecution

 

.....However, Pastor Hovind, often referred to as “Dr. Dino” due to his passion for dinosaurs, has been behind bars in 20 different prisons for over eight years so far on seemingly far less serious charges — and could remain there until death if prosecutors and the judge get their way. The latest charges surround an effort Hovind made from prison to contest the liens that were allegedly improperly placed on his ministry’s property by the federal government. He is being accused of “contempt of court” and alleged “mail fraud” for using the prison mail system to fight back against having the ministry’s assets seized by filing what has been described as a notice that litigation on the property was ongoing. The upcoming case to determine Hovind’s fate was supposed to take place next week, but has again been postponed by officials, this time until March, due to “family issues.”....

 

 

 

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There is a war against bible believing Christians.

[Gregory Matthews]

Hold on a minute:

 

1)  Christians are required to obey the law as long as obedience does not violate God's law.  In any case. Christians who do violate the law are subject to the consequences of that violation.  One who violates on the basis that to do so would violate God's law must be prepared to suffer the civil consequences.  The Bible does not teach that Christians will not suffer consequences. 

 

2) The issue of withholding required taxes on the basis of whether or not one is an employee or an independent contractor, is well settled in law.  In the U.S. it is the IRS that decides.   The employer does not have the authority to decide.  This is an issue that has been well settled.  It has been settled in the business world.  it is not unique to religious organizations.   Churches have to abide  by what has been settled in law, or accept the consequences.

 

3)  The issue related to multiple withdrawals of funds related to $10,000 has also been well settled by the courts.  By the way, that can legally be done.  It is not illegal to do so.  What the law requires is compliance with the paperwork.  There have been many so-called  "jailhouse lawyers" who have been caught up in this.   They think they know the law and come up with a method to make the withdrawals and not comply with the paperwork. The bottom line is:  The Feds will catch them and they will suffer the consequences.

 

4) As to the charge of threatening an IRS Agent in public radio broadcast.  He did more  than pray for the situation.  What he actually said could be construed as a threat or even solicitation, possibly.   This one, in my thinking, is not cut and dried.   It may be a long shot.  But, the charge may also have some merit.

 

 

The bottom line is:  Christians should bend over backwards to obey the law as long as it does not violate God's law.  When it does, take the consequences.

[Gregory Matthews]

Regardless of the truth of the above, it is not revelant to the situation with Hovind.  The others will either settle up in a civil agreement or in a criminal prosecution.

 

The same has been true for Hovind.  The article about him suggests, I think, that he has refused any civil settlement.  O.K.  That is his choice.  Now let the process proceed and it will.  He has a position and in our society judges decide.   

[Bravus]

If he believed in recent creationism and paid his taxes, he would be fine. Millions of Americans are in that position.

He is not in jail for his beliefs, he is in jail for his unlawful actions. Actions intended, not to spread the gospel, but to enrich himself in this world's goods.

 

[Tom Wetmore]

The serial conflation of unrelated issues in the New American article serve to obscure the real issues. A more objective view of the facts certainly demonstrates that Hovind has been sucked int the anti government tax protestor movement to his extreme detriment. The tax avoidance schemes and frivilous legal and tax arguments of these people are endless in their absurdity and irrationality, and seldom if ever ultimately succeed. If continues down this path he has only himself to blame for any time behind bars. The reason has absolutely nothing to do with his religious beliefs.

Here is just one somewhat more objective view of his case -  http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2014/10/29/government-coming-down-harder-on-kent-hovind/

[Tom Wetmore]

For a good overview of the whole story on this character, read through the Wikipedia article on him - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Hovind#Politics_and_conspiracies .

 

Res ipsa loquitur...

[CoAspen]

Me thinks this person has some 'reality' issues.....needs mental care.

[Tom Wetmore]

For the full list of frivolous arguments that these people attempt. - http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/The-Truth-About-Frivolous-Tax-Arguments-Introduction

I have encountered and had to deal with people pushing their tax avoidance schemes making these kinds of arguments. Hard nuts to crack...

[Joe_in_RP]

You logic is amazing. That's why we need to send him to jail for 100 years.

[Tom Wetmore]

I don't think you were reading carefully. I never said or implied he should or would get 100 years. And I wouldn't take too seriously the projection by the New American article as to his possible sentence since on so many other aspects of his case it was categorically wrong or missing a great deal of essential facts. It is highly unlikely that he will be sentence to 100 years for what he is accused of. it sounds like they are totally the maximum sentence for each count and assuming the sentence will call for them to be served consecutively. What is more likely is that the sentencing will be for them to be served concurrently and not necessarily at the maximum number of years allowed. In other words if he is convicted on 5 counts of crimes that each have a maximum potential sentence of 20 years each, the court is most likely to impose varying amounts less than 20 years, let's say the longest of which is 10 years, for each and require that the sentences be concurrent. That would mean the actual jail time will be no more than 10 years, with credit for time already served and opportunity for early parole for good behavior or other mitigating circumstances. I would be surprised if he was in prison for more than 3-5 years for the tax evasion and tax fraud.

But the worse problem he is his complete defiance of the law and the legal system. By showing not sense of cooperation and clearly thumbing his nose at the court's authority he is his own worst enemy and has nobody to blame but himself. That anti-government defiance will very likely greatly compound his lproblems and would justifiably cause the judge to impose a much harsher sentence. But Dr Dino controls his own fate in that regard.