A title-jumping, tax evasion case has reached its end following the sentencing of 37-year-old Derrick Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was found guilty in November 2021 of Violation of Nebraska Certificate Title Act and Willful Evasion of Sales Tax, both Class IV felonies. Through much of the trial, Gonzalez contested that if no “man or woman has been harmed by his actions” there should be no charges against him. Special prosecutor Marty Klein argued it was a simple case of Gonzalez avoiding paying required taxes and failing to fill out the correct portions of the title, even after he was given multiple opportunities to do so.
On Wednesday, January 19 District Judge Mark Kozisek ordered Gonzalez to pay a $750 fine for Violation of Nebraska Certificate Title Act and a $750 fine for Willful Evasion of Sales Tax. Because Gonzalez was not sentenced to prison nor placed on probation, Judge Kozisek ordered Gonzalez to submit a DNA sample as part of the DNA Identification Information Act. He was also ordered to pay $284.11 in court costs.
The case made its way to court after an investigation showed Gonzalez attempted to sell a motorcycle after he purchased it and failed to pay the sales tax. The investigator on the case stated during the trial and prior court hearings, this is common practice for those attempting to avoid paying the sales tax on a vehicle. The approximate amount of sales taxes owed from the purchase of the motorcycle would have been around $83.
Title Jumping, Tax Evasion Case Reaches Conclusion With Guilty Verdict
