New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox today announced that a New Jersey man could serve 4 to 12 years in state prison for evading more than $2 million in cigarette tax as well as selling illegal firearms.

Edward Henriquez, 37, of 418 5^th Street, Carlstadt, NJ, was sentenced by Justice George Villegas in Bronx Supreme Court for criminal tax fraud related to evading the cigarette and tobacco products tax.  He was also sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, with five years of post-release supervision, for criminal possession of a loaded firearm.

“We are committed to aggressive action against all those who sell contraband cigarettes and rob the State of much-needed funding essential for a variety of state services – including campaigns aimed at helping young New Yorkers avoid the habit of smoking,” said Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox. 

Following a year-long undercover investigation by the Tax Department, Henriquez was charged with evading over $1 million in taxes for possessing more than 48,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes for the purpose of sale.  He paid $1.8 million for the cigarettes and evaded paying $2.3 million in taxes owed to the State and New York City.  Henriquez pleaded guilty to Criminal Tax Fraud in the First Degree, a class B felony.

Henriquez also pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C violent felony.  He admitted that he sold four firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition to undercover agents between December 2009 and April 2010. 

Henriquez is currently in the custody of the New York City Department of Correction.  He is scheduled to be transferred to the New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision to serve his sentence.

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The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is committed to ensuring fair tax administration for all New Yorkers.  Approximately 96% of taxes are paid voluntarily by businesses and individuals to meet their tax responsibilities.  The remaining taxes are collected as a result of actions taken by the Department's audit, collections and criminal investigations programs.  These enforcement actions support voluntary compliance and fair taxation for all New Yorkers.