GREAT FALLS — Tommy Michael VanHoose is facing charges in federal court in Great Falls for filing false income tax returns. An undercover investigation revealed that he failed to report approximately $1.4 million of his gross receipts, resulting in a tax loss of nearly $500,000.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced in a press release on Friday, August 2, 2024, that VanHoose has been indicted on five counts of submitting a false tax return in U.S. District Court.
According to Laslovich, the indictment alleges that VanHoose admitted to skimming cash from his firearms business and not reporting 20% of his gross receipts to the IRS, leading to a significant underpayment of income taxes. After a thorough investigation by the IRS, it was determined that VanHoose’s statements to an undercover agent were accurate, resulting in multiple charges of submitting false federal tax returns.
The indictment states that VanHoose owned and operated Highwood Creek Outfitters LLC, a firearms distributor, and shooting range in Great Falls. He listed the business for sale for $1,750,000 through a real estate agent.
An IRS undercover agent posing as a potential buyer contacted the real estate agent in February 2023 to inquire about the list price. The real estate agent mentioned that not all income was reported on tax returns.
During a tour of Highwood Creek Outfitters in May 2023, VanHoose disclosed that he had skimmed around $450,000 in cash and consistently underreported 20% of his gross receipts to the IRS. Based on his admissions and obtained records, VanHoose underreported approximately $1,486,404 in income for tax years 2018 through 2022, resulting in a tax liability of approximately $492,254.
The indictment further reveals that VanHoose engaged in various fraudulent practices, including selling firearms for higher prices than recorded in the business’s point of sales system and failing to report transactions for firearms given or sold to others. He also provided incomplete records to his accountant to underreport income to the IRS.
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If convicted, VanHoose, aged 66, could face up to three years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and one year of supervised release for each count. A summons has been issued for VanHoose to appear for arraignment on September 10 before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston in Great Falls.
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It’s important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
