SCDOR arrests 23 people on tax charges

SCDOR agents arrested 23 people in Aiken, Barnwell, and Edgefield counties this week on charges of tax evasion and/or failure to file South Carolina Individual Income Tax returns.

The arrests come after a 10-month investigation by the SCDOR. The SCDOR charged 22 of the defendants with tax evasion for falsely indicating on employer tax withholding documents that they were exempt from South Carolina Income Tax. Three were charged with failure to file a file a return, pay tax, or keep records. In each case, the investigation found the defendants had failed to file a South Carolina Individual Income Tax return for at least two tax years between 2020-24.

By claiming they were exempt, the defendants caused little or no Income Taxes to be withheld from their wages. By failing to file South Carolina Income Tax returns, the defendants evaded the payment of South Carolina Income Tax.

“Tax compliance is not optional,” said SCDOR Director Hartley Powell. "When individuals evade paying the taxes they owe, it unfairly shifts the burden to law-abiding taxpayers who comply with our tax laws. The SCDOR is committed to administering South Carolina's tax laws fairly and consistently, holding those who fail to comply accountable.”

In total, the 23 defendants earned a total of $6,003,884 in wages from 2020-24 and evaded the payment of $257,991 in South Carolina Income Tax.  

The following defendants were arrested this week and charged with willful attempt to evade or defeat a tax:

• Charles Nicholas Alvanos, 46, of North Augusta, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $318,431 and evaded approximately $13,910 in state Income Tax. 
• Steven Lamonte Broadwater, 52, of Trenton in Edgefield County, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $336,546 and evaded approximately $16,794 in state Income Tax.
• Jaheim Butler, 25, of Blackville in Barnwell County, was charged with two counts, for tax years 2023-24. He earned income of at least $180,760 and evaded approximately $8,265 in state Income Tax.
• Latonya Michelle Carter, 52, of North Augusta, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. She earned income of at least $277,035 and evaded approximately $11,109 in state Income Tax.
• Sama Chanta Claridy, 32, of Williston in Barnwell County, was charged with two counts, for tax years 2023-24. She earned income of at least $188,974 and evaded approximately $7,677 in state Income Tax.
• Carla Cooks Cruz, 62, of North Augusta, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. She earned income of at least $260,890 and evaded approximately $14,591 in state Income Tax.
• Larry Darnell Dicks, 58, of North Augusta, was charged with two counts, for tax years 2023-24. He earned income of at least $183,727 and evaded approximately $7,979 in state Income Tax.
• Marquita Patrice Hall, 42, of Warrenville in Aiken County, was charged with two counts, for tax years 2023-24. She earned income of at least $229,082 and evaded approximately $10,058 in state Income Tax.
• Rodney Trevaine Hamilton, 35, of Aiken, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $279,392 and evaded approximately $11,376 in state Income Tax.
• Dexter Corinthias Jenkins, 36, of Salley in Aiken County, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned Income of at least $322,216 and evaded approximately $14,972 in state Income Tax.
• Bryson Rashad Knight, 37, of Graniteville in Aiken County, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $204,397 and evaded approximately $7,949 in state Income Tax.
• Kayla Marie Logue, 35, of Aiken, was charged with two counts, for tax years 2023-24. She earned income of at least $200,540 and evaded approximately $6,407 in state Income Tax.
• Cornelius Jay McKie, 51, of Aiken, was charged with four counts, for tax years 2021-24. He earned income of at least $293,240 and evaded approximately $13,040 in state Income Tax.
• Jonathan Alexander Robertson, 34, of North Augusta, was charged with four counts, for tax years 2021-24. He earned income of at least $299,298 and evaded approximately $13,242 in state Income Tax.
• Nicole Fitzgerald Scott, 50, of Wagener in Aiken County, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2021 and 2023-24. She earned income of at least $210,575 and evaded approximately $8,798 in state Income Tax.
• Renado Sharod Smith, 43, of Graniteville in Aiken County, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned Income of at least $269,037 and evaded approximately $12,496 in state Income Tax.
• Devin Danell Stevens, 29, of Graniteville in Aiken County, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $324,865 and evaded approximately $12,431 in state Income Tax.
• Terrance Lamont Stroman, 45, of North Augusta, was charged with two counts, for tax years 2022-23. He earned income of at least $177,291 and evaded approximately $8,376 in state Income Tax.
• Angel Gabriel Torres, 24, of Warrenville in Aiken County, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $259,685 and evaded approximately $10,820 in state Income Tax.
• Ricardo Mendez Williams, 45, of Edgefield, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $242,375 and evaded approximately $10,844 in state Income Tax.

The following defendant was arrested this week and charged with failure to file a return:

• Amos Latravis Wise, 46, of Aiken, was charged with three counts, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $267,822 and owes approximately $10,239 in state Income Tax.

The following defendants were arrested this week and charged with both willful attempt to evade or defeat a tax and failure to file a return:

• Curtis Alexander Carr Jr., 41, of North Augusta, was charged with one count of failure to file a return, for tax year 2020, and four counts of willful attempt to evade or defeat a tax, for tax years 2021-24. He earned income of at least $424,962 and evaded approximately $18,725 in state Income Tax.
• Bryan Dewayne Elam, 46, of Aiken, was charged with two counts of failure to file a return, for tax years 2020-21, and three counts of willful attempt to evade or defeat a tax, for tax years 2022-24. He earned income of at least $252,744 and evaded approximately $7,893 in state Income Tax.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine together with the cost of prosecution for each count of tax evasion; and one year in prison and/or a fine of $10,000 together with the cost of prosecution for each count of failure to file a return.

Each defendant was held in the Aiken County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.  

If you suspect or know of anyone or a business that has committed a state tax crime, such as tax evasion or tax fraud, submit a Tax Violation Complaint to the SCDOR:

• We recommend submitting your complaint on MyDORWAY, the SCDOR’s free online tax portal. Get started at dor.sc.gov/tax-violation-complaint. 
  • You do not need to log in or create an account to submit a complaint on MyDORWAY.
• You can also submit a paper Tax Violation Complaint Form (CID-27). 
  • Email your completed form to FraudAdvisor@dor.sc.gov or mail it to
    South Carolina Department of Revenue
    Attn: Fraud Advisor
    2070 Northbrook Blvd, Suite B7
    North Charleston, SC 29406

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

SCDOR Public Information Office
news@dor.sc.gov